Renowned artwork, antiques on display

The ongoing sixth China International Import Expo has a bigger and more diverse showcase of artworks and antiques than ever before.

Altogether 131 pieces of artwork, 57 of which have been recognized as cultural relics, are on display at the pavilion for consumer goods.

Eighteen exhibitors from the United States, Britain, Singapore and other nations have brought the artworks to the CIIE, where the exhibition for art and antiques takes up an area of more than 3,000 square meters, bigger than in previous years.

"This is the third time that we have participated in the CIIE since 2021," said Jean Qian, Sotheby's managing director for China affairs.

The globally renowned auctioneer is showcasing 15 artworks, including paintings by Henri Matisse (1869-1954) and Claude Monet (1840-1926), as well as Chinese master Zhang Daqian (1899-1983).

"We will take the opportunity (of the CIIE) to present our rich and diverse collection of artworks from all over the world, and colorful cultural activities, in order to meet the constantly growing demand of local collectors, and strive to promote prosperity and interconnection of the art market," Qian said.

Levy Gorvy Dayan & Wei, an international gallery specializing in postwar and contemporary art, is one of nine art institutions participating in the CIIE for the first time.

The gallery is showing two large-scale paintings at the CIIE — Peinture by French master Pierre Soulages (1919-2022), and Three Times Waterfall by US artist Pat Steir, 83.

"We have been eagerly anticipating participation in the CIIE for a long time," said Xu Bingji, the communications director for the gallery in Hong Kong. "As a significant global trade exhibition, the CIIE draws exhibitors and visitors from around the world. Through our previous involvement in various art fairs in Shanghai, and collaborations with the China (Shanghai) Pilot Free Trade Zone, Levy Gorvy Dayan &Wei has deeply experienced the vibrant artistic atmosphere of Shanghai.

"We are excited about further strengthening connections with domestic and international artists, collectors and art enthusiasts during this year's CIIE. We also aim to engage in in-depth exchanges with other exhibitors to explore possibilities for collaboration."

Pace Gallery, a newcomer at the CIIE this year, is representing some of the most influential contemporary artists of the 20th century. It is presenting two sculptures, by US artists Louise Nevelson (1899-1988) and Jeff Koons, 68.

"We have been encouraged by the CIIE policy that allows exhibitors to have duty-free transactions for five pieces of artwork," said Shi Yi, deputy director of the Pace Gallery's China office in Beijing. "We believe the CIIE is a great opportunity to introduce these important artists to Chinese audiences."

The CIIE set up a cultural relics and art section in 2021 for the first time. In the past three sessions, a total of 83 cultural relics and artworks were sold, with a total transaction value of 1.25 billion yuan ($171.6 million).

In 2022, the transaction scale of Shanghai's art and cultural relics market reached 12.85 billion yuan, an increase of 44 percent from 8.9 billion yuan in 2019. The total import and export value of cultural relics and art was 10.28 billion yuan, an increase of 61 percent from 6.39 billion yuan in 2019.