First Book on Collecting Chinese Contemporary Art Published in Chinese

Written by Milton Fleming Wednesday, 18 January 2012 20:33

NEW YORK, NY.- AW Asia announced the publication of the Chinese-language version of Chinese Contemporary Art: 7 Things You Should Know by Melissa Chiu, director of the Asia Society Museum in New York City and vice president of the Society’s global arts program. Chinese contemporary art continues to be a major force in the international art world, and the current economic climate has created a unique opportunity for new and experienced collectors in this field, particularly in China itself.

Although art collecting was virtually unknown during the Cultural Revolution of the 1960s and 1970s, it is now widely recognized in China as an activity consistent with the country’s rapid economic growth.

As the demand for luxury goods among wealthy Chinese continues to rise, it is estimated that within five to ten years, China will have tens of thousands of “new collectors” of contemporary Chinese art. The updated Chinese-language version of Chinese Contemporary Art: 7 Things You Should Know is intended to serve this growing collector base and to satisfy the need for knowledge in this rapidly maturing field. As with the English-language version, which recently sold out its first edition, the Chinese version is expected to become a must-read for collectors and art aficionados throughout Asia.

“In this book, Dr. Chiu identifies the first generation of contemporary Chinese artists, focusing on the most important and historically significant artists working in China today,” says AW Asia’s Larry Warsh. “We’re confident that 7 Things will, for years to come, be one of the most important resources for Chinese audiences interested in learning more about contemporary Chinese art.”

Topics covered in the book include the early history of avant-garde art in contemporary China, the rise of museum culture and collecting there, and the return to China of artists formerly living abroad. Among the artists featured are Cai Guo-Qiang, Zeng Fanzhi, Zhang Xiaogang, Yue Minjun, Cao Fei, Zhan Wang, and Rong Rong. 7 Things includes more than 50 full-color reproductions of key works and background biographies of close to 60 artists.

The Chinese-language edition of Chinese Contemporary Art: 7 Things You Should Know is distributed by Today Art Museum in Beijing. It is available exclusively in bookstores throughout China.

Over the past two decades, Chinese contemporary art has become a major presence in the international art world. The diversity of work by China's leading artists now commands the attention of curators, critics, collectors, scholars, and the global art community. Yet Chinese contemporary art merely builds on magnificent artistic traditions of China's 5,000-year-old culture. AW Asia's mission is to support and advance this significant field of art.

AW Asia is a private organization and exhibition space located in the heart of the Chelsea art district in New York City. AW Asia promotes the field of Chinese contemporary art through institutional loans and acquisitions, curatorial projects, publications, and educational programs. Website : http://www.awasiany.com/

New Chinese Art was established in 1999 as a centre for contemporary Chinese art. The website is a good resource for people worldwide to view art by Chinese artists. New Chinese Art allows Chinese contemporary artists to display their art for free.

New Chinese Art aims to make contemporary Chinese art accessible to a global audience. Whether you are just browsing or interested in purchasing, New Chinese Art presents you with portfolios by over 100 contemporary Chinese artists, and we are continually adding Chinese artists’ works. Website : http://www.newchineseart.com/

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