HONG KONG.- ART HK 09: Hong Kong International Art Fair announced that 110 of the world’s leading galleries from 24 countries will exhibit at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre (HKCEC) from 14-17 May (Preview and Vernissage 13 May).

New participants for 2009 include Tomio Koyama, White Cube, SCAI THE BATHHOUSE and Galleria Continua, as well as Lisson Gallery and Gagosian Gallery. Antony Gormley and Anish Kapoor will both be present, alongside leading Asian artists such as Ai Weiwei, Cai Guo-Qiang and Jitish Kallat. This year, ART HK 09 is also pleased to introduce ART FUTURES, an initiative to enable galleries under five years old to showcase one or two emerging artists and to encourage a presence of fresh, exciting new work at the Fair.

In addition to being the leading platform for buying art in the region, ART HK provides a much needed focal point for the art world in Asia for networking and discourse between curators, artists, collectors and critics.

Asia Art Archive will present a series of thought-provoking programmes with some of the leading experts and practitioners in the field. Backroom Conversations will include panel discussions, talks and screenings that touch on a number of prevalent issues, and offer a first-hand look into the contemporary art world today. Speakers include: Vasif Kortun, Director of Platform Garanti Contemporary Art Center, Istanbul; Frances Morris, Permanent Collections Curator, Tate Modern; and Uli Sigg, collector of Chinese contemporary art.

Guided Tours will be available in both English and Cantonese organised by Para/Site Art Space.

Whether you are a seasoned collector, thinking of buying for the first time, or just keen to be part of one of the most significant cultural events in the international art calendar, we look forward to welcoming you to ART HK 09.