The regional art community rallies around AAA in Hong Kong for its annual fundraiser
By Ilyda Chua

Ho Sin Tung, ‘Outlive the Light’, 2017, colour pencil on paper mounted on wood (five panels), wood acrylic display case with key, 111.4 x 122.1 x 20.6cm, unique. Image courtesy of Asia Art Archive.

Now in its 18th year, the Asia Art Archive (AAA) will once again see donations of artworks from artists, collectors and galleries from across the globe for its annual fundraiser, which raises more than half of the organisation’s yearly operating budget, to support the democratisation of education and research on Asian contemporary art.

The Hong Kong-based nonprofit organisation, which launched in 2000, boasts one of the region’s most comprehensive and valuable collection of contemporary art materials. And importantly, it’s available to the public free of charge, in accordance with founder Claire Hsu’s vision to collect, share and create knowledge on the histories of contemporary art in Asia, that might have otherwise been lost to time.

Luis Chan, ‘Untitled (Goldenhaired Girl with Bird and Beasts), 1964-1971, acrylic on paper, 45 x 59 cm. Image courtesy Asia Art Archive.

This year’s edition will see 75 donated artworks from a diverse group of artists up for auction, priced between HKD7,000 and HKD450,000. Highlight lots include ‘Madeleine’ by French-American artist Louise Bourgeois, donated by Hauser & Wirth; ‘Untitled (Goldenhaired Girl with Bird and Beasts)’ by Hong Kong modern artist Luis Chan, donated by Red Rock Studio; ‘Multi Red’ by London-based sculptor Rasheed Araeen, donated by Hong Kong-based gallery Rossi & Rossi; and ‘Go Tell It’, which was specially created for the auction by Taiwan-born artist Joyce Ho.

Rasheed Araeen, ‘Multi Red’, 1968/2018, acrylic on wood, 30.6 x 23 x 23 cm. Image courtesy of Asia Art Archive.

Joyce Ho, ‘Go Tell It’, 2018, acrylic paint on book, aluminium frame, 21 x 27 x 1.5cm. Image courtesy of Asia Art Archive.

Commenting on Rossi & Rossi’s contribution to the auction, Director Corey Barr says: “Rossi & Rossi wholeheartedly endorses AAA's mission to expand knowledge about recent art of Asia.” He added, “The gallery and Rasheed Araeen are proud to participate in the AAA annual fundraising auction with the donation of Multi Red (1968/2018), the artist's first sculptural edition, which replicates one his early minimalist investigations.”

Takashi Murakami & Virgil Abloh, ‘Bag’, 2018, canvas and leather, 61 x 40.5 x 14cm, unique. Image courtesy of Asia Art Archive.

Gagosian Gallery has donated ‘Bag’, part of a series of works by powerhouse Japanese artist Takashi Murakami in collaboration with Virgil Abloh, founder of popular streetwear brand Off-White to the auction. The gallery states that it is “thrilled to support the Asia Art Archive gala for the 10th consecutive year” and notes about the collaborators that as “cult figures in their respective fields, Murakami and Abloh push against the parameters of fashion, art, and popular culture, provocatively blurring the lines between them.”

Works from other Asian artists — often generously donated by the artists themselves — will also feature in the auction. Indonesian artist Syaiful Aulia Garibaldi paints the organic world as an amber-toned mosaic in ‘Porculen Lirza’, while Hong Kong artist Ho Sin Tung’s fictional vintage movie poster, titled ’Outlive the Light’, pays tribute to the human fear of nature’s revenge and wrath.

The online auction is held in collaboration with Christie’s Hong Kong. Jonathan Stone, Deputy Chairman Asia, Co-Chairman Asian Art, Christie’s says, “We are delighted to once again partner with the Asian Art Archive to work towards this meaningful cause. Aligning closely with Christie’s own educational initiatives, their innovative programmes and ever-growing library collection will continue to enrich the local art scene while facilitating important access to all — an endeavour we strongly believe in”.

The bidding will take place online between 9 October and 3 November 2018. In partnership with Christie’s Hong Kong, a preview of the artworks will also be open to the public from 9 to 12 October at the auction house.

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