Art & Design Events To Watch Out For This 2019

For artists, art aficionados, and collectors, here are some of the biggest fairs in Asia you can't miss

1. Philippines

Art Fair Philippines is perhaps the most popular art event in the country. For the past seven years, it has been successfully bringing together art lovers from different countries, generations, and walks of life. But besides this annual extravaganza, which happened last February 22 to 24, the people behind this also organise the annual Art in the Park, happening this Sunday, which offers visitors a range of paintings, prints, photographs, sculpture, and new media at affordable prices.

Meanwhile, happening this April 25 to 27 is Manila FAME. It is the country's premier design and lifestyle event that promotes the Philippines as a reliable sourcing destination for high-quality home, fashion, holiday, architectural and interior products. It supports local small and medium scale enterprises, artisan communities and emerging talents by providing product development programs and a professionally managed platform to present export products to the global market.

2. Hong Kong

Above Liu Xiaodong, Memory Tree 1 (2014), courtesy of the artist and Eslite Gallery Liu Xiaodong, Memory Tree 1 (2014), courtesy of the artist and Eslite Gallery

Featuring premier galleries from Asia and beyond, Art Basel Hong Kong is happening this March 29 to 31. Underlining Art Basel's commitment to the region, half of the participating galleries once again have exhibition spaces in Asia and Asia-Pacific. The show provides an in-depth overview of the region’s diversity through both historical material and cutting-edge works by established and emerging artists. Coinciding this Asian leg of the renowned Art Basel is also the annual Art Central Hong Kong, which opens on March 27. Relatively younger than the former, Art Central feature performance art, large scale installations and talks by some of the leading names in contemporary art today.

3. Macau

For those looking for an international art fair in Asia dedicated to art photography, video, and new media art, fly in to Photo Macau which annually highlights a carefully curated collection of galleries, photographers, curators, collectors, dealers, and art lovers from around the world. Don't miss it on March 23 to 26 at the Venetian Macao.

4. Singapore

From March 4 to 17, Singapore Design Week (SDW) brings together a collection of local and international design activities in Singapore. SDW brings together a collection of local and international design activities in Singapore. Organised by the DesignSingapore Council, the SDW is open to the design community, businesses, design students, public sector officers and the general public. As one of Asia’s premier design festivals, SDW champions design thought leadership by bringing together the design, business and public policy worlds to bring about innovation and solutions to build businesses, engage communities and enrich people’s lives.

Furthermore, our very own Dr. Patrick Flores is this year's Artistic Director of Singapore Biennale, happening this November 22 until March 2020. The biennale is known for its thought-provoking art and meaningful exchange of ideas, particularly the 2016 edition which was attended by over 600,000 visitors. The biennale has been successful in heightening the interest among local and international audiences in understanding the Southeast Asian region through contemporary art.

5. Taiwan

Above Mycelium Network Society (Franz Xaver＋Taro ＋Martin Howse＋Shu Lea Cheang＋global network nodes), Mycelium Network Society, 2018, mixed media, installation, 1000×800×360 cm ©the Participants and TFAM

Recently finished last March 10, the Taipei Biennial is the most important exhibition for promoting contemporary art held by the Taipei Fine Arts Museum. Since it started in 1998, it has introduced new artistic ideas from around the world that act as a driver of dialogue between Taiwan and other cultures, becoming a primary symbol of Taiwan's contemporary art development and international artistic exchange.

Banner photo: Martha Atienza, Our Islands 11°16’58.4”N 123°45’07.0”E, 2017, single channel HD video, color, no audio, 72 min, loop ©the Participant, SILVERLENS, and TFAM