The sixth edition of West Bund Art & Design dropped the curtain in Xuhui Shanghai last weekend. This year the fair featured 109 galleries from 18 different countries in Asia, Europe, North America, and Oceania.
Despite the negative global financial environment and China’s slowing economic growth, West Bund Art & Design 2019 managed to accomplish an incredible feat and engaged the visitors with a vibrant art world. Based on our conversations with participating galleries such as Salon 94 and Stephen Friedman, galleries has achieved increasing sales.
▲West Bund Art & Design 2019, Courtesy West Bund Art & Design.
This year’s newcomer, the contemporary Japanese art gallery Yufuku, reveals that the gallery sold a number of installation works on opening day, while another newcomer Tokyo Gallery + BTAP sold a total of 15 artworks.
According to a statement given to West Bund Art & Design by Nick Simunovic, director of the Gagosian Gallery in Hong Kong, this year’s strong sales have helped build a vibrant art fair in the region.
Lisson Gallery, which opened its new outpost in Shanghai this March, discloses that gallery sales for this period included works by Marina Abramović, Anish Kapoor and Richard Long. Another exhibitor, Pace Gallery, reveals that six artworks, ranging from prices of $10,000 to $400,000, have sold since the preview.
▲Installation view of Lisson Gallery booth. Courtesy West Bund Art & Design.
Remarkably, Simon Lee sold five works on the opening day alone, while another contemporary art gallery, BANK, sold all of its artworks on that day.
▲Installation view of BANK booth. Courtesy West Bund Art & Design.
This year’s edition of Perrotin is highlighted by a solo booth which debuts Swedish visual artist Jens Fänge in Mainland China. The gallery reveals that 90% of Fänge’s works have already sold at the fair due to positive comments and high praise from collectors at the fair.
White Cube tells us: “We have been doing great since the opening. We have sold several works from numerous artists, including Tracey Emin, Al Held, Magnus Plessen, David Altmejd, Wang Gongxin and Qin Yifeng, which were priced between $10,000 and $10,000,000.”
▲Installation view of White Cube. Courtesy West Bund Art & Design.
Timothy Taylor had works by Armen Eloyan and Eddie Martinez which fetched up to $100,000 each, while works by Frank Auerbach sold for up to $700,000.
▲Installation view of Timothy Taylor. Courtesy West Bund Art & Design.
Sadie Coles HQ discloses that its sales at this year’s fair include Sarah Lucas, Wilhelm Sasnal, Yu Ji, Alvaro Barrington, Elizabeth Peyton and many more. AIKE, a contemporary art gallery which introduces avant-garde Chinese contemporary artists, reveals that it has sold a large number of pieces within the three days of the fair, including aaajiao, Wan Yang, Wang Xiaoqu and Wang Yi. Leo Gallery reveals that Chinese Asian Modern and Contemporary painter, Tan Ping’s works had almost all sold before the final day, far exceeding the gallery’s expectations based on previous fairs.
Galerie Thaddaeus Ropac concludes that this year’s edition remains strong, attributing the fair as a prominent attraction for art collectors, museumgoers, and other art lovers from overseas. This year, the focus of the gallery matches with the tastes of collectors from several regions, including Japan, Korea and China. Massimo De Carlo MDC indicates that West Bund Art & Design has now become a predominant motif at global art fairs, and this serves as a new and multi-genre opportunity for Asian art.
▲Installation view of Galerie Thaddaeus Ropac. Courtesy West Bund Art & Design.
The Beehive Center for Contemporary Art is highlighted by a special project which features a solo exhibition of the works of Leng Guangmin. The gallery tells us that 22 of Leng’s works have already sold since the interview.
▲Installation view of Beehive Center for Contemporary Art. Courtesy West Bund Art & Design.
Ginkgo Space is showing West Bund Art & Design for the first time this year, and it senses notable participation of collectors from throughout Asia, particularly those from Korea, Japan and Southeast Asia. The fair brings together many clients who are focused on like-minded conversations.
As a newcomer at this year’s West Bund Art & Design, Galerie Dumonteil has been incredibly successful. The gallery sold the outstanding sculpture, After the Night, Before the Day, by Tess Dumon on the first day. By the second day, the gallery needed to put together a waiting list for Dumon’s works. In conversation with us, Galerie Dumonteil’s owner Pierre Dumonteil says that the fair has now become one of the greatest art fairs in the world. Similar to the setup which defines most major international fairs, experiencing West Bund Art & Design feels like it is a showcase for the vibrant arts community.
▲Installation view of Galerie Dumonteil. Courtesy West Bund Art & Design.
Galerie Templon, in its second year at West Bund Art & Deisgn, showcases Asian art and has fared quite well, with works including Japanese artist Chiharu Shiota, Indian artists Jitish Kallat and Atul Dodiya. “It’s been an incredible experience meeting such a large art audience with so much passion. We look forward to the next edition.”Says Galerie Templon.
Overall, most sales remain strong at the fair, showing great success in the art world for high-profile galleries. Meanwhile, several emerging galleries are noting the power of being a member of such a thriving event. We expect to see more high-quality, accessible and unique galleries at next year’s event.
▲West Bund Art & Design 2019, Courtesy West Bund Art & Design.
Translation: Kirsten Wang
