HONG KONG.- Exceptional sculpture, both antique and art by Western and Chinese, modern and contemporary masters will be on display at the Hong Kong International Art and Antiques Fair (HKIAAF 09), as well as Special Exhibitions by the National Museum of China and the Hong Kong Museum of Art. The Ink Society of Hong Kong will also present a selection of works by the new generation of Chinese ink artists at the fair.

The exhibitions will be a major attraction for leading members of the international art world, and will provide a great opportunity for exhibitors at HKIAAF 09 to meet more potential buyers and collectors during the fair.

HKIAAF 09, to be held from 3 – 6 October at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre, is now recognized as Asia’s premier art fair presenting a unique combination of Art and Antiques. This will be the 5th fair organized by Art & Antique International Fair Ltd and it will showcase a wide range of collecting categories spanning from antique Himalayan bronzes through to contemporary art.

A select group of leading local and international galleries will participate in this premier art event. They include antique specialists such as Robert Hall (UK), Rossi & Rossi (UK), Kaikodo (USA), Kankodo (Japan), Mehmet Hassan Asian Art (Thailand), M & C Gallery (Hong Kong), Martin Fung Ltd (Hong Kong), Maria Kiang Chinese Art (Hong Kong), Jade Gallery (Hong Kong), alongside contemporary art galleries such as Alisan Fine Arts (Hong Kong), Sundaram Tagore Gallery (USA, Hong Kong), Kwai Fung Hin Art Gallery (Hong Kong), Galerie Ora-Ora (Hong Kong) and Grotto Fine Art (Hong Kong).

On display will be a wide range of Antiques including ancient bronzes, Chinese ceramics and works of art, furniture, textiles and jades. The Art section will feature exceptional works by celebrated artists in a diversity of artistic styles and media including paintings, sculpture, installations and photography.

Focus on Sculpture
HKIAAF 09 will feature a wide range of sculpture in both the Antiques and Art sections, by both Western and Chinese masters. In the Antiques section, renowned London dealer Rossi & Rossi will offer important Himalayan works of art, including a splendid late 17th/early 18th century Mongolian gilt copper sculpture depicting the bodhisattva Avalokiteshvara in the four-armed form. Hong Kong’s M & C Gallery will display a magnificent and rare Ming Dynasty gilt-bronze figure of Mahakala with his Consort, dating from the 15th century.

In the Art section, Kwai Fung Hin Art Gallery will showcase an exhibition of sculptures by masters as well as young artists, divided into two sections: Modern Western Sculpture and Contemporary Chinese Sculpture. Highlights include two bronze sculptures by Amedeo Modigliani (1884 – 1920) and works by Chinese artists Ren Si Hong and Gao Xiao Wu. Galerie Ora-Ora will also display Contemporary Chinese and Hong Kong sculptors, including works by renowned Chinese sculptor Xu Hongfei and Hong Kong sculptor Man Fung-Yi.

Special Exhibition by the National Museum of China
The National Museum of China was established in 2003 and was formerly known as the Museum of Chinese History. The Museum is currently under re-construction and extension. On completion, it will be the largest museum in the world. The first phase will be completed in October 2009; the extension will be finished and opened in 2010. The completion of the first phase will coincide with the celebration of the 60th anniversary of the People’s Republic of China. The opening is scheduled for early October, at the same time as HKIAAF 09.

HKIAAF 09 will sponsor an exhibition by the National Museum of China to introduce the history and new development of the Museum. Two renowned artists from mainland China, Liu Gang and Xiong Guangqin, will be coming to Hong Kong to represent the Museum in cultural exchange programs with leading Hong Kong art organizations.

Special Exhibition by the Hong Kong Museum of Art
The mission of the Hong Kong Museum of Art is to recognize and promote local artistic talent, and to enhance public knowledge and appreciation of art. The Museum will introduce award-winning art works from the Hong Kong Contemporary Art Biennial Award 2009; the “The Prosperous Cities: A Selection of Paintings from the Liaoning Provincial Museum” exhibition; and highlights of donations from Museum patrons.

In particular, two donations from the Friends of the Hong Kong Museum of Art will be displayed: the mixed media installation “Floating Reeds” by the Shanghai-born, New York-based sculptor Ming Fay and “Artificial Landscape Series” by the well-known Hong Kong photographer Almond Chu.

Special Exhibition by the Ink Society of Hong Kong
The Ink Society of Hong Kong will present a special exhibition featuring works by the new generation of Chinese ink artists.

The Society will also support an exhibition entitled Ink
Contemporary: “ReXPERIMENT” organized by the Hong Kong Artist Commune showing works by local artists Kum Chi Keung, Koon Wai Bong, Leung Ka Yin and Leung Kui Ting.