BRIEFING ON:
Briefing on:
ASIAN ART WEEK, NEW YORK,  2008

SHALINI GANENDRA FINE ART, The Private Gallery

Despite the angst caused by the fall of Bear Stearns and global financial concerns, Auction and Art Fair interest/sales remained strong in contemporary art  during New York's Asian Art Week.   Christie’s  South Asian Modern & Contemporary Art  Auction sold  87% of lots and new records were set for two artists (Ram Kumar and MF Husain, each surpassing USD $ 1 million).   However, the dizzy buying of past years has subsided, and buyers are now far more selective, demanding quality works and not just famous names.  The art market is expected to consolidate further in the near term in light of the economic climate.

SHALINI GANENDRA FINE ART, The Private Gallery’s (‘SGFA’) showing at the Park Avenue Fair  marked the best show, from a number of perspectives, that SGFA has had in  New York to date.   The response from collectors, galleries and press has been very encouraging.  SGFA was mentioned in the lead article in the International Herald Tribune coverage of Asian Art Week, (p. 7) March 8/9,   and works by Eric Peris and Leela Bandaranaike Peries were prominently featured. See:  http://www.theprivategallery.com/press/IHT0308.pdf   (penultimate para.)
Art Info, an established website covered the Gallery:  http://www.artinfo.com/news/story/27119/smaller-space-but-steady-sales-at-asian-art-fair/, as have numerous other sites.

A second exhibition organized by SGFA, Borneo, A Bowl of Wind & Water,  featuring black and white photographs by SC Shekar and Bob Teoh,  opened during Asian Art Week at the English Speaking Union USA headquarters, New York.   Malaysian Counsel General, Mohamad Sadik Gany, officiated the event.  Opening cocktails were well attended with an international guest list generating significant interest.    This exhibition continues in New York  through July 2008.

What does all this activity mean?  Undoubtedly, work continues to be needed to keep these artists in the international view.  However, given the commercial and academic responses to these exhibitions, we are confident that the featured artists will continue to gain  recognition.   

We warmly invite you and friends to visit us at
 
The  International Asian Art Fair
583 Park Avenue, New York, New York
March 15 - 19,  2008
#34 - Balcony Level
 
Artists featured:
Eric Peris
Yeoh Kean Thai
Leela Bandaranaike Peries
Druvinka
George Keyt

 
  Eric Peris, Garden of  Water Hyacinths, Tin Mine Landscapes, Lamda Print ,  54in x 36in

With thanks to Malaysian Airlines for their generous support: