Asia Week in New York is in full swing and there is a wealth of treasures to discover. In the galleries, Runjeet Singh is exhibiting a wonderful set of rare Tibetan leather armour, mostly dated to the 15th–18th centuries, that had previously been hidden away for decades in an English collection. Carlo Cristi is showing Art of India, Tibet & Central Asian Textiles featuring one of the earliest miniatures to illuminate the first translations of Buddhist philosophical texts into Tibetan. A beautiful and rare bronze Buddha head from Thailand in the Uthong B style is a highlight of the exhibition at Galerie Christophe Hioco while an extremely rare example of a Chinese-style Thangka from the Ming Period is well worth seeing in Himalayan and Indian Art at Navin Kumar.
Over at the auction houses, Christie’s is offering a striking Ding russet-splashed black-glazed conical bowl from the Northern Song Dynasty (960-1127) in the sale of The Linyushanren Collection, Part III on 22 March. Don’t miss the chance to see Sotheby’s sale of the extraordinary Wellington and Juliana Koo Collection of Chinese Paintings & Calligraphy which takes place on the same day and is expected to do well.
Meanwhile in Asia, the sixth edition of Art Basel Hong Kong runs from 29 to 31 March and will feature 248 galleries from 32 countries, including 28 new exhibitors who have joined this year. Focussing on 20th century and contemporary art, there is a particularly strong representation from galleries based in Asia, reflecting the continuing growth of the art scene across the continent.
Highlights include Vivek Vilasini’s project at Sakshi Gallery which comprises of translucent sheets of rice paper that were exposed to dust and atmospheric pollution in New Delhi, highlighting issues related to pollution and climate change. In the Discoveries section, which focuses on solo shows by emerging artists, Carlos Motta’s sculptures and photographs at mor charpentier confront our preconceived notions of the natural and unnatural, while Jessie Homer French’s beautiful paintings of Western flora and fauna at Various Small Fires reflect the artist’s rural life.
