small talk
As Fine Art Asia puts the finishing touches to the line-up for its 13th edition, Calvin Hui talks to Cherry Lai about what’s in store this year
As Fine Art Asia puts the finishing touches to the line-up for its 13th edition, Calvin Hui discusses what’s in store
We’re Hong Kong’s home-grown international art fair,” says Calvin Hui proudly of Fine Art Asia, the prestigious fair founded by antique Chinese furniture dealer Andy Hei in 2006. Over the past decade, the fair has flourished, acting as a bridge between the booming Asian collectors market and top Western galleries, becoming one of Asia’s foremost fixtures on the international art calendar for fine art and antiques. Calvin, who joined as co-chairman and director in 2011, has been pivotal in its growth, not just for his astute knowledge as a collector, but also his experience as a curator, consultant and gallerist (he owns 3812 Gallery, which he refers to as “my baby”). With this year’s show boasting an unprecedented range of world-class works alongside a special expanded photography section, the art enthusiast talks to us about its evolution and why quality always trumps quantity. What can we expect at the fair? A journey through an eclectic mix of museum-quality art and antiques, from Ming dynasty furniture to precision crafted timepieces and contemporary art. Last year’s well-received photography debut gave us the confidence to expand the section with its own dedicated area.
What aspects of the fair are you drawn to the most? I’m a fan of mid-century furniture and decorative pieces. It’s interesting when a collector who comes to see huanghuali [Chinese yellow rosewood] furniture finds himself discussing silver service, or a jadeite buyer discovering the cut stones of Western jewellers. The fair’s diversity allows one to journey through time.
How has the fair evolved and where do you hope to take it? Growth is a step-by-step process. We believe in developing in a manner that will allow us to retain excellence. I recall a London press conference where the fair’s success was credited to us being “a local Hong Kong team;” that has remained very important [to the ethos of the fair]. We are thrilled with our international exhibitors but remain very proud of being a locally grown success.
What do you see as the future of the Asian art market? Hong Kong remains an integral part of the international art market. Fairs, auction houses and the city’s growing gallery presence all give us a competitive edge, and our ease of transacting and favourable tax climate benefit collectors, sellers and artists. The creative economy is thriving and we’ve continued to see growth within the collector market at our fair.
What are the most rewarding aspects of your role? Seeing an exhibition come to fruition is immensely satisfying. So is turning the pages of our exhibition catalogues, or meeting friends who share the same passion for collecting. Curatorial and consultancy work allows me to seep my aesthetic values and standards of perfection into each project. My passion for art makes all the hard work worth it.
What is good art to you? Good art is subjective, but I respect artists who develop their unique artistic language, have an understanding of their own cultural identity and an ability to demonstrate this with contemporary expression.
What stirred your interest in art curating and collecting? I’ve always had a passion for art, which started with a love of classical music and vocal production; music and visual art appreciation both require a human touch and spiritual sensitivity. It was during my studies in Madrid, immersed in European art and culture, that I truly nurtured my interest in visual art.
What pieces of art decorate your house? My house is my personal curatorial space filled with midcentury design furniture by Gio Ponti, Whitefriars glass, claret jugs from the 19th century, silver plates from 1741 and artworks by Hsiao Chin, Liu Dan, Wang Jieyin and Chloe Ho.
What’s next for you? I’ve been working with Pansy Ho as the exclusive curator and art consultant for a pioneering MGM Cotai Art Collection set to be unveiled soon in Macau showcasing the city’s cultural diversity. The third edition of Ink Asia, which I founded in 2015, is also opening in December, so it’s been a busy time.
Fine Art Asia is at the Convention and Exhibition Centre from September 30 to October 3.