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Are editions a good way to start a collection?
Editions are an excellent way to acquire a work by an Asian artist you admire at a more accessible price point. Examples of artists who offer high-quality editions of images from their iconic series include Ju Ming, Yoshitomo Nara and Yayoi Kusama.
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An artist I admire is best known for paintings. Should I collect the same artist’s works on paper or sculpture?
Works on paper and sculpture can give you a different perspective on an artist’s process. The works on paper of Yayoi Kusama, who normally uses acrylic in her paintings, for example, offer an alternative interpretation of her paintings.
Similarly, Park Seo-Bo’s mixed media paintings can be compared with his silkscreen prints. Works on paper and sculpture complement the artist’s primary medium, and can be collected and appreciated as works in their own right.
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Should I focus on a particular region?
There’s no need to limit yourself. In the past the market for Asian artists was more regionally focused — Chinese collectors only focusing on works by Chinese artists, for example — but now we’re seeing more collectors acquiring works regardless of geography or nationality.
Artists from Asia are increasing their international presence and enjoying more attention from collectors internationally. One example of this is Zao Wou-Ki, who has long been considered a modern master in Asia but has only recently received the same level of recognition in the United States. He has held retrospectives in Taiwan since the mid-1990s, but only just had his first retrospective held in an American museum in 2016 at the Asia Society in New York.
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What impact does the condition of an artwork have on its value?
This depends on the artwork and the artist. Takashi Murakami's prints, for example, should be in pristine condition — anything less would negatively affect the value of the work.
For some artists however, what may appear to be deterioration or damage can be an integral part of their practice. Walasse Ting’s works on paper are often creased because he saturates thin Chinese paper with brightly coloured ink or acrylic paint, and the wetting and drying of the paper and mixing of different media affects the condition of the work. The resulting marks of imperfection would be considered a part of the artist’s technique, and not a reflection of the artwork’s quality.
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Which is more important to consider, market value or historical value?
Market value doesn’t necessarily reflect the historical value of an artwork. Historically important groups such as the Fifth Moon and Ton Fan Group are undervalued relative to their significance in the history of Asian post-war abstract art, with renowned artists including Hsiao Chin, Li Yuan-Chia, and Hu Chi-Chung.
Works by Hsiao Chin, for example, break free from tradition to employ simple colours and basic geometric forms. While his paintings are grounded in the framework of traditional Chinese painting, they also embrace a modernist style.
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What are the prospects for Southeast Asian art?
The market for Southeast Asian artists is growing rapidly, and shows immense potential. Many of these artists have established careers and long sale histories within their own countries but, until recently, their market has been very regional. Thanks to Biennales, art fairs and international exhibitions, they’re becoming more accessible to collectors across the world.
Since Southeast Asian art is still an emerging market, the works are relatively affordable, making this category an excellent entry point for new collectors. Our sale will include works on paper by Filipina painter Pacita Abad and Vietnamese painter Le Pho.
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What is the trend in Asian contemporary sculpture?
We are finding many artists who are creating unique, highly conceptual pieces that blur the lines between sculpture and decorative art. For example, Ju Ming’s Taichi Series conveys a sense of the Chinese taichi spirit with a strong modernist feel.
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Who is collecting contemporary art from Asia at the moment?
There’s a global demand for Asian contemporary art, from the United States to Europe and of course within Asia. We’re finding that collectors, particularly new buyers, are attracted to the affordability of this category. Most of the works in our upcoming sale are also reasonably sized and convenient to transport or hang, making it both beautiful and practical for apartments or small homes.
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I like an artist for whom there seems to be little to no auction history. Should I be concerned?
If an artist has a short auction history, it doesn’t necessarily reflect their market value. Many Asian artists could be very successful in their own country through their studio or a local blue-chip gallery or institutions, but haven’t yet had the opportunity to establish themselves on the international scene or through auction houses.
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Which new artists should I look out for?
Asian contemporary art is still a relatively new market in global terms and we are regularly discovering artists, both emerging and established, who are worthy of attention. Right now, we recommend you keep an eye on Liu Ye and Hiroyuki Matsuura.