Tuesday, March 10, 2015

Heads Up or Should I Say, Heads East?

 March 13 - 21, 2015
GuanyinSong Dynasty (960-1279),
Wood, traces of polychromy and gilding
Ht: 52 3/4 in.(134 cm) 
Gisèle Croës s.a., Brussels, Belgium
Photo Studio Roger Asselberghs - Frédéric Dehaen
Photo:  Asia Week New York Web site

From March 13 - 21, 2015 New York will be filled with Asian artworks in what is the seventh edition of Asia Week New York.  Hundreds of collectors, curators and art enthusiasts from all over the globe come to view the myriad of artworks showcased at New York's annual event. This year's participants include more than forty dealers, five auction houses and over twenty museums and institutions. 


Portrait of Emperor Farrukhsiyar (r.1713-19),
Mughal India, circa 1715,
opaque watercolor with gold on paper
Folio: 17 3/4 by 12 3/4 in. (45 by 32.5 cm)
Painting: 7 5/8 by 4 3/4 in.  (19.5 by 12 cm) 
Photo:  Asia Week New York Web site

Gallerists, from Belgium, England, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Malaysia, Switzerland, and the United States present specialized shows of Asian art from China, India, the Himalayas, Southeast Asia, Tibet, Nepal, Japan, and Korea.  Lectures, symposiums, discussions, tours and even family activities round out the week-long happening.  

Sitatapatra, Central Tibet, eighteenth century,
mercury gilding, 19.9 in. (50.5 cm)
Photo:  Asia Week New York Web site

Whether you're interested in statuary, paintings, ceramics, jewelry or contemporary art, there is something for you.  For those unfamiliar with Eastern wares, the exhibits offer what amounts to a graduate-level course in Asian art.   

Gandhara head of Buddha, c. 2nd. century AD, 
grey schist,  H: 9 5/8 in. (24.5 cm)
Galerie Christophe Hioco, Paris, France
Photo:   Asia Week New York Web site

This coming weekend, March 14 - 15, is Asia Week's "Open House Weekend."  Galleries will be open and many will have refreshments on hand.  In addition, the Japanese Art Dealers Association (JADA) organizes a collaborative exhibition on view for only three days, March 14 - 16, at the Ukrainian Institute of America.   

Visitors will find dealers as well as seasoned Asian aficionados friendly and eager to impart knowledge.  Those new to this art and those in the know will  be equally enlightened.  

Minjung Kim, Pieno di vuoto, 2005
mixed media on rice paper,
59.1 x 82.7 in. (150 x 210 cm),
Photo:   Asia Week New York Web site

Much buying and selling takes place during the week.  Many objects enter private collections, never again to be on public display.  So now is the time to see them.  Go to the Asia Week New York 's Web site. There's an excellent map and calendar of events to help plan your visit. Who knows, you may start your own collection.





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