What's Happening in Asian Art...
March 29, 2021
Songtsam, the only group of luxury boutique Lodges and Retreats in the Tibet region, just opened its 13th property, Songtsam Lodge Namcha Barwa. Located in Dalin Village in Tibet, the lodge has a spectacular view of the famous Namcha Barwa snow mountain, which rises 25,532 feet above sea level. The new lodge will also play an integral role in providing employment for the local communities and support their economic growth.
The hotel design provides each of the 33 suites with dramatic views so that all the guests can have the feeling that they are being embraced by Namcha Barwa’s snow-capped mountains. In a breakthrough design, a sliding window folds together so the living room itself becomes an extended balcony, providing an unobstructed view of Namcha Barwa from anywhere in the suite. Each floor has terraces of varying sizes, integrating the guest facilities with the stunning natural setting of the lodge. Outside the Lodge, three reflecting pools capture the mesmerizing snow peaks of Namcha Barwa, the white clouds, and a galaxy of stars in the night sky.
To ensure the wellness of each guest at such a high altitude (the lodge stands at 10,334.6 feet above sea level), Songtsam uses modern technology to diffuse an oxygen supply throughout the property.
In order to promote the development of Dalin Village, Songtsam has committed to contributing 200 RMD (approx. $30 USD) from every room night sold, to the village. Songtsam hopes that within two years, more than 60% of the hotel's staff will be from the surrounding villages.
Songtsam (“Paradise”) is an award-winning collection of luxuhotels and lodges located in Tibet and Yunnan Province, China. Founded in 2000 by Mr. Baima Duoji, a former Tibetan documentary filmmaker, Songtsam is the only collection of luxury Tibetan-style retreats to focus on the concept of Tibetan meditation by combining physical and spiritual healing. The 13 unique properties offer guests authenticity, within the context of refined design, modern amenities, and unobtrusive service in places of untouched natural beauty and cultural interest. Songtsam was on the 2018 & 2019 Conde Nast Traveler Gold List.
Songtsam Tours is a Virtuoso Asia Pacific Preferred Supplier and provides guests an opportunity to curate their own experiences by combining stays at its different hotels and lodges designed to discover the region's diverse culture, rich biodiversity, incredible scenic landscapes, and unique living heritage.
Songtsam is committed to sustainability and the preservation of the essence of Tibetan culture by supporting the economic development of the local communities and environmental conservation within Tibet and Yunnan. For more information about Songtsam visit www.songtsam.com/en/about
March 26, 2021
above: Kawase Hasui (1883 - 1957) Ochanomizu, from the series: 20 Views of Tokyo, woodblock print, courtesy of The Art of Japan.
This is your last chance to see the Asia Week New York Spring 2021 Online Exhibition. The exhibition closes tomorrow!
Here is a sampling of what is on view.
A carved white jade huqqa mouthpiece inset in the kundan style with Burmese cabochon rubies, India 19th century, courtesy of Susan Ollemans.
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Half of a Timurid Frontispiece Timurid Iran, possibly Herat, circa mid-15th century, Ink, gold, and opaque watercolor on paper, courtesy of Art Passages.
A pair of manuscript covers depicting the ‘Mahishasuramardini’ Durga cycle, Nepal, circa 17th century, Opaque watercolor on wood, courtesy of Prahlad Bubbar.
Moro Armor, Mindanao, Philippines, 19th century, courtesy of Runjeet Singh.
Chiura Obata (1885-1975), Evening Glow at Lyell Fork, Tuolumne Meadows From the series World Landscape: America, 1930. Japanese color woodblock print, Courtesy of Egenolf Gallery Japanese Prints.
Hinggi, Man’s shoulder or hip cloth with deer motif, East Sumba, Cotton; warp ikat, 19th / very early 20th century, courtesy of Thomas Murray.
Zheng Chongbin, Vertical Plain 2020, Ink and acrylic on Xuan paper, courtesy of INK Studio.
Jayashree Chakravarty, Unfoldings: The Route Map Of Experience Installation size: part a: 10.5’ x 41’ and part b: 10.5’x14.5’, Textile, Nepali paper, tissue, brown paper, pigment, acrylic paint, glue, tea and coffee stain, 2003, courtesy of Akar Prakar.
March 24, 2021
Face, 2020, Oil on canvas. 66 1/8 x 46 ½ in
脸，布面油画，168 x 118 cm
Artist & Curator Talk: Egami Etsu in conversation with Owen Duffy
Date: March 24, 2021 2:30PM EST / 8:30PM CET
Zoom Link: https://teacherscollege.zoom.us/j/95798042333 * No RSVP necessary
Please join us for an artist & curator conversation between Egami Etsu and Owen Duffy on Wednesday, March 24th, 2021. The discussion will focus on Egami Etsu's recent works that are part of her current exhibition "Facebook" at Chambers Fine Art.
Asia Week New York Spring 2021 Online Viewing Room
March 24, 2021
Abir Karmakar. Passage. India. 2020. One of six paintings; oil on canvas. Set I: Two paintings, each: H. 108 x W. 168 in. (274.3 x 426.7 cm); Set II: Two paintings, each: H. 108 x W. 100 in. (274.3 x 254 cm); Set III: Two paintings, each: H. 108 x W. 112 in. (274.3 x 284.5 cm). Courtesy of the artist and Galerie Mirchandani + Steinruecke, Mumbai, India. Photograph courtesy of Galerie Mirchandani + Steinruecke, Mumbai, India.
Part 2 of the Asia Society Triennial: We Do Not Dream Alone opens March 26, 2021. Plan your visit to the second installment of the Asia Society Triennial, featuring new artist projects and commissions, and an outdoor sculpture installation by Chinese artist Xu Zhen on Park Avenue at 70th Street. The exhibition comprises more than 30 works from a diverse range of artists, showcasing a multitude of perspectives that highlight Asia’s rich contribution to the canon of contemporary art.
Admission to the Asia Society Triennial Part 2 is free and by advance timed ticketing only. Reserve tickets now.
Museum Hours:
Friday through Sunday, 11:00 AM–3:00 PM
March 22, 2021
Pieces of China: Ben Wang on Qi Baishi's Chicks
Thursday, March 25 at 12:00 pm
Qi Baishi, who lived from 1864-1959, is one of the most revered Chinese painters of all time. One of his paintings sold for $144 million in 2017, breaking world records. Ben Wang, China Institute’s beloved professor of Chinese culture, shares one of his favorite Qi Baishi works—two chicks tugging on a worm—and explains why the painter’s art still speaks to us today.
To register: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_ylNU350SSZiMMkdsf4x6DA
March 19, 2021
Rama and Sita, Bilaspur, 1690-1700, courtesy of Oliver Forge & Brendan Lynch
Tomorrow is the last official day of Asia Week in the New York galleries (although many galleries scheduled their exhibitions for longer), chances are good that you can go view the complete installations today or tomorrow on short notice by appointment.
Meanwhile, we are happy to say the response to the Asia Week New York Spring 2021 virtual exhibition online continues to be strong and it is being extended until March 27. This provides a further opportunity to view the selections from our out-of-town members that can only be seen in the online exhibition.
The Art of Japan, Medina, WA
Art Passages, San Francisco, CA
Prahlad Bubbar, London, UK
Egenolf Gallery Japanese Prints, Burbank, CA
Oliver Forge & Brendan Lynch Ltd, London, UK
Francesca Galloway, London UK
Nicholas Grindley LLC, London UK
Hara Shobo, Tokyo, Japan
INK Studio, Beijing, China
Kaikodo LLC, Pepeekeo, HI
Thomas Murray, Mill Valley, CA
Susan Ollemans, London UK
Akar Prakar, New Delhi, India
Runjeet Singh, Warwickshire, UK
TAI Modern, Santa Fe, NM
Hiroshi Yanagi Oriental Art, Kyoto, Japan
An inset leg bridle joint huanghuali table, Late Ming/early Qing dynasty,17th century, courtesy of Nicholas Grindley LLC
Soga Shōhaku (1730 – 1781), “Landscape in Snow”, Edo period, 18th century, courtesy of Hiroshi Yanagi Oriental Art
Almost all the Asian art auctions have concluded, and here are some of the highlights:
A very rare Song Dynasty (960-1279) ingot-shaped white glazed pillow with an Imperial inscription dated 1746 sold for $882,312 (estimate $50,000-80,000) at Bonhams.
An Exceptional and Highly Important Bronze Ritual Wine Vessel and Cover, Gong, Late Shang Dynasty, Anyang, 13th-12th Century BC sold for $8,604,000 (Estimate $4,000,000-6,000,000) at Christie’s.
A pair of huanghuali highback chairs, which brought $239,400 (estimate $15,000-20,000) at Doyle.
Qi Baishi (1864-1957), Chicks, Ink on paper, sold for $43,750 (estimate: $40,000-$60,000) at Heritage Auctions.
An Important Documentary Archaic Bronze Ritual Food Vessel (Gui), Late Shang Dynasty, Probably c. 1072 BC sold for $5,434,500 (estimate $600,000-800,000) at Sotheby’s.
March 18, 2021
Tamagawa Norio (b. 1942), Living National Treasure, Mokume-gane Vase 050, 1996, Hammered Silver, copper and shakudo (alloy-copper, gold), courtesy of Onishi Gallery
A couple of galleries, both showing contemporary Asian art, are located downtown.
The exhibition The Eternal Beauty of Metal at Onishi Gallery at 521 West 26th Street, demonstrates that the masters of contemporary Japanese metal art are distinct in their personal modes of expression but united in their embrace of traditional methods.
The Rubin Museum of Art at 150 West 17th Street, is in the same part of town, and their newly opened traveling exhibition, Awaken: A Tibetan Buddhist Journey Toward Enlightenment, showcases the power of Tibetan Buddhist art to focus and refine awareness.
Face, 2021, oil on canvas, courtesy of Chambers Fine Art
The exhibition at Chambers Fine Art at 55 East 11th Street, Egami Etsu: Facebook, is the artist’s first New York exhibition. Born in Japan in 1994, she focuses on the universally significant theme of the human face in her paintings.
March 17, 2021
Hayashi Shotaro (b. 1947) Designated important intangible cultural property of Gifu prefecture, Blue Shino Vase c. 2000
Two galleries are located a few doors away from each other on 64th Street between Fifth and Madison Avenue. Passages Through Time, the exhibition at Dai Ichi Arts, Ltd at 18 East 64th Street, provides a full view of avant-garde ceramics from Japan from the Post-War period to the works of contemporary masters.
MIYAKO YOSHINAGA, at 24 East 64th Street, is presenting recent abstract color paintings by Tokyo-based artist Manika Nagare (b. 1975) in which she explores the notion of the border between this life and the afterlife through intense light and color.
Manika Nagare (b. 1975), To the Otherside, 2020 titled, dated, signed by the artist, oil on canvas
Asia Week New York Spring 2021 Online Viewing Room
March 17, 2021
Due to a wonderful response in the last few days, the Asia Week New York Spring 2021 virtual exhibition is being extended until March 27.
The auctions are now underway, and the results so far have been very good. Highlights include:
Doyle
A pair of huanghuali highback chairs at Doyle, which brought $239,400 (estimate $15,000-20,000)
Bonham's
A very rare Song Dynasty (960-1279) ingot-shaped white glazed pillow with an Imperial inscription dated 1746 sold for $882,312 (estimate $50,000-80,000) at Bonhams.
Christie’s
Katsushika Hokusai (1760-1849), Under the Well of the Great Wave off Kanegawa sold for $1,590,000 (estimate $150,000-200,000) at Christie's.
Sotheby’s
Vasudeo S. Gaitonde (1924-2001) Untitled, oil on canvas sold for $1,956,000 (estimate $800,000-1,200,000) at Sotheby's.
These New York galleries are still open by appointment:
Very Unusual Doucai and Famille Verte Porcelain Plate, Kangxi Period, (1662-1722), courtesy of Ralph M. Chait Galleries, Inc.
Ralph M. Chait Galleries, Inc., 16 East 52nd Street, 10th Floor
Chambers Fine Art, 55 East 11th Street, 5th Floor
Dai Ichi Arts, Ltd., 18 East 64th Street, Suite 1F
HK Art & Antiques, 49 East 78th Street, Suite 4B
Sebastian Izzard LLC Asian Art, 17 East 76th Street, 3rd Floor
Kapoor Galleries, Inc., 34 East 67th Street, Floor 3
Joan B Mirviss LTD, 39 East 78th Street, Suite 401
Onishi Gallery, 521 West 26th Street
Scholten Japanese Art, 145 West 58th Street, Suite 6B
Thomsen Gallery, 9 east 63rd Street, Floor 2
Koichi Yanagi Oriental Fine Arts, 17 East 71st Street, 4th Floor
Miyako Yoshinaga, 24 East 64th Street
Zetterquist Galleries, 3 East 66th Street, Suite 2B
You can preview highlights from all 29 of our exhibiting galleries that remain available virtually through the Online Viewing Room.
Travelers in a Storm, by Yokoi Kinkoku (1761-1832), Edo Period, 18th-19th century Japan, hanging scroll, courtesy of Koichi Yanagi Oriental Fine Arts
More auctions are coming and can be followed online:
Bonhams:
Wednesday, March 17
Fine Japanese and Korean Art
Online auction, Indian, Himalayan and Southeast Asian Art runs until March 19
Christies:
Wednesday, March 17
South Asian Modern + Contemporary Art Including Works from the Estate of Benode Behari Mukherjee
South Asian Modern + Contemporary Art online closes on Thursday, March 18
Thursday, March 18
Shang: Early Chinese Ritual Bronzes from the Daniel Shapiro Collection
Important Chinese Art from the Junkunc Collection
Thursday, March 18 and Friday, March 19
Important Chinese Ceramics and Works of Art
Sotheby’s
Wednesday, March 17
Important Chinese Art
Online auction, The Hundred Antiques: Fine and Decorative Asian Art runs until March 24
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