Eli-Klein--Petra-Szabo-Photography

An eye for talent

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There are many thoughts on why art in China is on the rise. What is your personal take on it?

I cannot speak as much with respect towards traditional Chinese art or modern Chinese art, but I am aware of the strengths of both markets. My expertise really is Chinese contemporary art. The Chinese contemporary art scene is a more recent entity; its ideas consider current issues. Nevertheless, all Chinese art is absolutely on the rise and that is why there are many reports on it.

China has a great and growing infrastructure to support the art systems, for instance increasing museums and education, as well as a lot of capital. As its infrastructure continues to grow, China’s art world and art market will become more powerful, which is important for its culture. China has everything it takes to create a perfect art world.

 

Art Basel Hong Kong has brought a lot of attention to the region, and with it, some say, to the detriment of the artists. What are your thoughts on that?

I don’t think Art Basel Hong Kong has been detrimental to artists. In fact, it has only helped art grow in the region and will continue to do so. Hong Kong has an incredibly dynamic art scene and thus, an annual major art fair is a perfect fit. Art Basel Hong Kong has even grown to the point where new art fairs, such as Art Central Hong Kong, have opened up around it.

 

What particular artists do you have your eye on in the region at the moment and why?

I always have my eye on particular artists from China. It is what I do, study and what I look for on a daily basis. I can say that I am often reticent about the artists I have my eye on, so I look forward to your readers following my gallery’s program to see it disclosed in an orderly and calculated fashion. I don’t want to incite speculation.

 

How do you think Hong Kong’s M+ Museum for visual culture will impact on Asia’s role in international art spaces when it officially opens in 2019?

The M+ Museum in Hong Kong will have a major impact on Asia’s role in international art spaces. Hong Kong is long overdue for an important museum. The gallery and art structure within Hong Kong needs it desperately: M+ Museum is filling a void that is absolutely necessary and will be monstrous for Hong Kong. I believe it will open up numerous opportunities for Hong Kong and more.

The impact of the M+ Museum is already being felt in Hong Kong; it doesn’t need to open to initiate effect. It is already in the back of the minds of galleries and art fairs within and around Hong Kong.

 

China’s art market is increasingly being driven by people with a genuine love for art, rather than just for profit and speculation purposes. How might this influence the work being produced decades to come from now?

There will always be people with a genuine love for art that drive the art market. There will also be people who are merely speculating for profit in this market. Often you have people who combine both,  however it is important that their love for art is first and the speculative or profit thoughts are secondary. Nevertheless, I don’t think these opposing purposes will influence the work being produced in the future.

 

Is the Macau art scene something you are familiar with? If so, are there any particular artists or events that you follow in particular?

I am not incredibly familiar with Macau’s art scene. I did follow, to a certain extent, the opening of Art Mo last year. I was very pleased and enthused to see that numerous great galleries were participating in the art fair. I spent one month in Macau 22 years ago. I enjoyed every second of it and subsequently, have loved watching and hearing about it prospering into the place it has become. It is great that Macau has, and will continue to, embrace and nurture the arts. I have been in discussions regarding a couple of major opportunities for my artists in Macau, although I haven’t yet found a way for them to come to fruition. However, I am very much looking forward to further opportunities culminating in the near future.

 

What are the major challenges facing artists in China, Hong Kong and Macau today?

The major challenges facing artists in China, Hong Kong and Macau today are firstly the challenges that every artist around the world is facing. It is very difficult to support your career financially being a professional artist and this is the number one problem. We continuously hear about many successful artists, yet so few of them can actually adhere to it as a profession and support themselves financially. This is a problem worldwide and not just in China, Hong Kong or Macau. Of course, through funding and gallery infrastructure for instance, I hope this situation becomes easier for artists.

 

 

Eli Klein was raised in Greenwich Village, New York, and spent a year at school in Hong Kong before returning to the US for the rest of his education. In 2000, he enrolled in law school at Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law however, his passion for the arts prevailed.  He founded Eli Klein Fine Art in 2007 and subsequent exhibitions have focused on Chinese contemporary art. Today, Klein is regarded as one of the foremost dealers in Chinese contemporary art.

In December 2013, in recognition of new partner Shanna Sun, the gallery transitioned to Klein Sun Gallery and relocated to an 8,000 square foot, street-level, space in the heart of New York’s Chelsea art district. The move has allowed the gallery to stage large-scale installations and exhibitions and it is the most significant gallery venue dedicated to Chinese Contemporary Art in the West.  Klein Sun Gallery strives to stimulate intercultural dialogue while promoting an academic approach to China’s most groundbreaking talents.

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