Asian Art

Japanese Swords From Peter Yorke’s Collection Head to Bonhams, Led by £25,000 Wakizashi

Masamune-lineage Sōshū wakizashi with an engraved blade and gold-lacquer mounts against a black background.

Japanese swords from Peter Yorke’s collection are heading to Bonhams, led by a Masamune-lineage wakizashi estimated at £15,000–£25,000. The sale also features a dated Bizen blade and a sword by Nobuhide, each with distinctive craftsmanship and mounts. We take a closer look at three highlights ahead of the online auction, which runs from October 30 to November 11.

Bruton + Co’s opening exhibition line-up to include major works of Abstract Expressionism alongside significant Asian artists

Joan Mitchell’s Untitled (1958), with broad yellow, black, red and purple brushstrokes over a pale ground.

On the corner of Bruton Street in Mayfair, a new kind of art space is quietly preparing to shake up London’s cultural and investment landscape. Bruton + Co, the brainchild of art entrepreneur Olyvia Kwok, will open its doors this June with a striking retrospective of post-war abstract art—bringing together masterpieces by the likes of Joan Mitchell, Robert Motherwell, Sam Francis, and Kazuo Shiraga. More than just an exhibition, this is a statement on the shifting power of art as an alternative asset, where emotion meets investment strategy. With global markets in flux, and blue-chip art increasingly seen as a financial safe haven, this opening marks more than a cultural moment—it’s a sign of where discerning collectors may be looking next.

Does Mark Zuckerberg’s Statue of His Wife Alienate the Asian Community?

Priscilla Chan beside a sculpture of herself by Daniel Arsham, commissioned by Mark Zuckerberg.

Mark Zuckerberg, the co-founder and CEO of Meta, is no stranger to public scrutiny. His latest public endeavor, a statue of his wife Priscilla Chan, has sparked a wave of discussion that transcends mere artistic critique. The 7-foot-tall sculpture, unveiled on Zuckerberg’s Instagram account to his 14.6 million followers, has been met with a mixture of bewilderment and criticism, particularly from within the Asian community. The choice of design and execution has led to concerns that the artwork unintentionally reinforces harmful stereotypes, portraying Chan in a manner that aligns more closely with an alien being than with the classical beauty and reverence traditionally associated with statues of loved ones.

14th Century Vajradhara Figurine Sells for €4.16 Million as Speelman Collection of Ancient Himalayan Art Achieves €15.2 Million at Auction

Fourteenth-century gilt copper alloy figure of Vajradhara seated with crossed arms.

In a spectacular display of auction prowess, the Jules Speelman Collection garnered a total of €15.2 million at Bonhams Cornette de Saint Cyr in Paris, far surpassing its pre-sale estimate of €4.2 million. The auction, consisting of 28 exquisite lots, was 93% sold by lot and 100% by value, underscoring the intense demand for Asian Art and Buddhist Sculpture curated over 60 years by the esteemed dealer and collector, Jules Speelman.

Thánh Địa: A Haunting New Exhibition by Enigmatic Vietnamese Artist Vũ Đình Đĩnh

God of the After Party by Vũ Đình Đĩnh: a crowned figure in orange and green robes beside a mirrored disco ball.

Vũ Đình Đĩnh, a renowned Vietnamese artist residing in Hanoi, will debut his latest collection, “Thánh Địa,” on April 14th, 2024. The exhibition will take place at 90 Tô Ngọc Vân, Quảng An, Tây Hồ, Hà Nội. Drawing inspiration from the depths of the night, the undulating waves of the ocean, and the luminescence of the natural world, Vũ Đình Đĩnh beckons attendees on a journey through the seasons: spring, summer, autumn, and winter. The showcased works encompass three distinct techniques: abstract, realism, and a fusion of both.

Exclusive Interview with Dan Lam – Dripping Sculptures

Rounded sculpture by Dan Lam with blue, green and yellow droplet textures and long pink-tipped drips.

Dan Lam, an internationally recognized contemporary artist and influential figure in social media, is based in Texas. Known for her unique sculptural works, Lam expertly blends unconventional materials, organic shapes, and vivid colors to explore intricate dichotomies. Her art, oscillating between beauty and the surreal, encourages viewers to contemplate deeper meanings while invoking a sense of both familiarity and wonder. Influenced by luminaries like James Turrell, Olafur Eliasson, and Lynda Benglis, Lam’s distinctive sculptures have solidified her status as a preeminent figure in today’s contemporary art landscape.

Breaking Art Boundaries: Tianyun Jiang’s Poetic Journey Redefining Existence

A black figure reaching upward inside a red square, from Tianyun Jiang’s Cuber series.

In the realm of contemporary graphic design, few artists dare to delve as deeply into the profound mysteries of human existence as Tianyun Jiang. Since embarking on her professional journey in 2015, Tianyun has risen to prominence, not merely as a designer who adheres to the principle of “form follows function,” but as a visionary artist who weaves the threads of philosophy and poetry into her creations. One of her most notable triumphs, “Cuber,” recently earned her the prestigious Distinguished Merit at this year’s 3×3 International Illustration Annual, solidifying her place as a trailblazer in the world of art and design.

The First “Gallery Creation” by Hong Kong Gallery

BRAX Bubblegum by Young Club: a pink and red costumed character against a blue background.

A local creative label & Gallery YOUNGCLUB launched BRAX – the first gallery-created character, as an art series based on youth and artists. 

In the image of a young artist, BRAX explores and grows in its adventure journey, creating a series of stories in the dreamland, vividly presenting the value and adventurousness of the young generation.

BRAX is a forever 17-years-old character keeping its identity hidden by wearing a doll costume.

It can be a character representing any of us in society. This 17-year-old teenager starts his own journey with its costume, arouses the resonance of young artists on the way of creation, and brings back memories of their youth.