Number 1 Gallery from Thailand presents Leela Promwong, Patronage System 2, Oil on canvas, 140 x 180cm, 2016
The 10th edition of Art Expo Malaysia will take place from October 20 – 23, at Matrade Exhibition and Convention Centre (MECC), Kuala Lumpur, featuring 60 established and reputable art galleries and groups from 30 countries, exhibiting 2,000 pieces of artworks (including paintings, sculptures, installation, photography) of various style, expression and medium, under one roof.
Currently the longest-running art fair in South-East Asia, Art Expo Malaysia is probably the most public-friendly art fair in the world, as it does not charge any entrance fee. Free Admission since its inception in 2007!
The Malaysia bandwagon, the largest delegation, will have a good number of reputable exhibitors as well as new players in the local art scene. These galleries will represent more than 100 local artists, a great mix of pioneer artists, superstars, established and emerging young artists. The Malaysian works usually receive well response and good remarks from the visitors. With a strong pool of local collectors specifically collecting Malaysian Art, it is expected that the sales of Malaysian Art would be excellent. Exhibitors’ lineup this year includes the usual past exhibitors and supporters such as Henry Butcher Art Auctioneers, Masterpiece Auction, Bank Negara Malaysia Museum & Art Gallery, National Visual Arts Gallery Malaysia, Galeri Prima (NSTP), A2 Gallery, Art WeMe Contemporary Gallery, City Art Gallery, G13 Gallery, Galleria GermAsia, HOM Art Trans, Jeth Art Gallery, Nadine Fine Art, Pelita Hati Gallery Of Art, Pin Wei Zhai Art Gallery, Segaris Art Center, Taksu, Tiny Rose Gallery, TJ Fine Art, Tree & Me Furniture Design, and Yahong Art Gallery. Peter Liew works will be exhibited too, whose booth is sponsored by a corporation.
Some of these galleries also represent foreign artists as well; for example, Art WeMe Contemporary Gallery represents the famous China artist Sanzi; both the art auction houses Henry Butcher and Masterpiece will showcase works by Southeast Asian artists or highlight pieces of the coming auctions.
Art Xchange Gallery presents Antoe Budiono, Berebut Benar (Who’s Right), Acrylic on canvas, 225cm x 125cm, 2016
From Singapore, 9 galleries are participating, forming the second largest exhibitor group, which includes Art Asia X, Art Xchange Gallery, ArtBlue Studio, Cape of Good Hope Art Gallery, Kato Art Duo, Maya Gallery, REDSEA Gallery, The Gallery of Gnani Arts, and White Space Art Asia. Art Xchange Gallery mainly represents Indonesian artists; ArtBlue Studio mainly represents Vietnamese artists; Kato Art Duo mainly represents Japanese artists; REDSEA Gallery used to showcase works by French, Russian, and Spanish artists, but will be debuting with Korean and Indonesian works this round.
REDSEA Gallery from Singapore presents Syaiful Rachman, Jim Morrison, Acrylic on canvas, 150cm x 150cm, 2015
There will also be an Embassy Zone, which sees participation from 13 Embassies, i.e. Argentine, Belgium, Brazil, Colombia, Cuba, France, Iran, Italy, Mexico, Mongolia, Philippines, Romania, Russia (debut appearance). Each Embassy proudly represents one selected solo artist from its country.
In addition, there will be the National Exhibition of China, presented by the Ministry of Culture China, that showcases 3 to 4 Chinese contemporary ink artists, at a huge exhibition area of 420 sqm. On the other hand, the usual China Pavilion will shrink down in size, having 5 different groups participating only.
Kato Art Duo presents Yayoi Kusama, Pumpkin l (Gold) Edition 9-60, Engraving, 42cm x 50cm, 2000
Art Expo Malaysia is under the Royal Patronage of Crown Prince and Crown Princess of Perlis, DYTM Tuanku Syed Faizuddin Putra ibni Tuanku Syed Sirajuddin Jamalullail, and DYTM Tuanku Hajjah Lailatul Shahreen Akashah Khalil.
“We, as the Royal Patrons, have watched over the growth of the Art Expo Malaysia, and are proud of its achievements and progress. As another year goes by, we see a better quality of artworks and even masterpieces by some of the most famous names in the art world, we see increasing visitorship and, most importantly, the increasing awareness towards art appreciation in the public, we see increasing media coverage on the Expo be it locally or abroad as it is worth reporting about, we see participation from more countries, we see a higher sales of artworks recorded, just to mention a few.”
In a rather business oriented world, where art is increasingly treated as a mere investment object, Project Director Sim Polenn emphasizes on an important point:
“Buy art because you like it; if there is investment return, that’s a bonus!”
Website: www.artexpomalaysia.com
Dates: October 20 – 23, 2016
Venue: Matrade Exhibition and Convention Centre (MECC), Kuala Lumpur
Admission: Free