The third edition of PHOTOFAIRS | Shanghai is bringing together 50 international
galleries at a time when, according to Christopher Philips of the International
Center of Photography in New York, the collecting market for photography in
Asia has recently seen an increase in activity, with regional institutions and
private collectors alike finally recognizing the importance of photography as
an collectable art medium.
|
|
© Herbert List, Portofino, 1936, Courtesy of Magnum Photos,
London, Paris
|
|
|
© Norman Parkinson, Audrey Hepburn, Courtesy of Augusta Edwards
Fine Art, London, Norman Parkinson Ltd
|
|
“Financially speaking, good photography, on the whole, is more accessible than blue chip paintings; it is therefore an interesting way into the art market,” remarks Jin Hongwei, a well-known Chinese collector, adding “One of the advantages of photography is its wall presence; I find that it is therefore easier to really get carried away with it as a medium.”
Run by the World Photography Organization, PHOTOFAIRS | Shanghai will chart the history of the medium, including works by some of the 19th-century’s early stars, such as Gustave le Gray, along with those by 20th-century masters like Helmut Newton and Robert Mapplethorpe, and leading contemporary artists, many of whom are Chinese. ShanghART Gallery will present Yue Liang and Yang Fudong, while CAMERA WORK (Berlin) is bring works by Herb Ritts, Paolo Roversi, and Christian Tagliavini, and EMON Photo Gallery (Tokyo) is presenting pieces by Hiroyuki Yamada and Hiroshi Yamazaki.
© Wang
Ningde, Two Men, 2013, Courtesy of M97, Shanghai
The international fair will also launch Insights, a curated exhibition that will chart the major changes in photography-making processes and highlight the move away from edition prints toward unique works. It brings together photographs by 30 artists, including Birdhead, Lee Kit, Shao Wenhuan and Sukho Kang. The photographs will be offered for private sale.
According to Liu Heung Shing, founder of Shanghai Center of Photography, collecting in China only started a few years ago but has strong potential given the rising interest and potential size of the market.
|
|
|
|
|
© Ouka Leele, Escuela de
Romanos,, 1980, Courtesy of Art+ Shanghai, Shanghai Gallery
|
|
|
© Steve McCurry, Flower
Seller at Dal Lake, 1999, Courtesy of Magnum Photos, London, Paris
|
|
