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Following is the speech by the Chief Secretary for Administration, Mrs Carrie Lam, at the Ink Asia 2015 opening ceremony at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre today (December 17):
Calvin (Director of Ink Asia, Mr Calvin Hui), Andy (Director of Art & Antique International Fair Limited, Mr Andy Hei), distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen,
Good evening. I am happy to join you all today at the opening ceremony of Ink Asia 2015.
Hong Kong has emerged as an international art auction hub in recent years, thanks to the staging of various international art fairs as well as Hong Kong's home-grown art fairs like Fine Art Asia. Their huge success exemplifies Hong Kong's position in the global art market. Through the enthusiasm and passion of the same team behind Fine Art Asia, I am delighted to see the introduction of Ink Asia, the first ever international art fair specialising in contemporary ink art. This is a brand new event with a specific focus on ink art, showcasing a wide array of exquisite ink art pieces presented by around 50 world-renowned galleries. It also brings together international art collectors, dealers and connoisseurs to promote this important part of contemporary oriental art at a global level. The emergence of Ink Asia 2015, which I hope will have its annual edition from now on, will no doubt widen the spectrum of the art fair business in Hong Kong.
In recent years, ink painting and contemporary ink art has attracted significant international interest from collectors, curators and renowned museums overseas. As an international cultural metropolis with a distinct identity enriched by its cultural diversity and a solid foundation in new ink painting, Hong Kong can play an active role in promoting ink art. Ink Asia 2015, in Hong Kong, serves as a timely platform for various art professionals to explore the limitless possibilities of ink art and to foster cultural exchange and mutual appreciation of this art form by expanding the dialogue between the traditional aesthetic and contemporary interpretations of ink.
The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government has been keen to promote a dynamic and vibrant art scene in Hong Kong. Since the 1960s, the Hong Kong Museum of Art and its predecessor have been actively promoting ink painting. Indeed, the New Ink Painting Movement was nurtured by the Museum's efforts. In collaboration with leading artists and art organisations, grand exhibitions of renowned masters including Wu Guanzhong, Liu Guosong, Huang Yongyu, Lin Fengmian, Ding Yanyong and Lu Shoukun were staged at the Museum since the early 21st century. These exhibitions drew considerable attention in the international art scene.
We will keep up our efforts in promoting a diversified art scene in Hong Kong. As far as the promotion of ink art is concerned, both M+, the flagship museum being constructed in the West Kowloon Cultural District, and the Hong Kong Museum of Art will play a vital role. While M+ will collect and present ink art with an international perspective and in a global context, the Museum of Art will target presenting ink art in connection with its historical linkage to traditional Chinese art and in the context of Hong Kong's art development. With these promising developments, as well as focused art fairs like Ink Asia, I am confident that Hong Kong would become the ideal location for ink art to reach out a wider audience not only locally, but also internationally.
Ladies and gentlemen, I hope you will enjoy Ink Asia 2015. May I wish Ink Asia 2015 a resounding success. Thank you.
Ends/Thursday, December 17, 2015
Issued at HKT 18:24
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