Asia Art Archive (AAA)’s 2022 Annual Fundraiser returns this October and November with an auction of over fifty works, generously donated by artists, galleries, estates, and individuals. This year, AAA expanded and upgraded its physical library to accommodate its growing collections and support more diverse programming. The fundraiser is therefore an essential source of funding for AAA to continue building collections on histories of contemporary art in Asia, as well as to provide free public access to resources and programmes for research and education. In partnership with Christie’s Hong Kong, a preview of the artworks on auction will be open to the public from 19–21 October. The works will be available for bidding online at www.aaa2022auction.com from 19 October–3 November.
PREVIEW EXHIBITION
19–21 October (Wed–Fri), 10:30am–5:30pm
PREVIEW OPENING RECEPTION
19 October (Wed), 6–8pm
Christie’s Hong Kong
The James Christie Room
22/F Alexandra House
18 Chater Road, Central
ONLINE BIDDING
19 October (Wed), 12nn to
3 November (Thu), 11pm via
www.aaa2022auction.com
Asia Art Archive’s full library revamp commenced in 2021. The renovation is our first since the organisation’s move to its current premises in Sheung Wan in 2007. Accessible to the public for free, AAA Collections has over 120,000 art historical records. To give the collections adequate room for growth over the next five years, the new library is equipped with an improved shelving system and infrastructure to accommodate a nearly fifty-percent increase in shelving capacity. The Reading Room is the library’s defining feature—a multifunctional event space that connects exhibitions and public programmes with materials on the shelves. In addition to the central space, various seating areas cater to the needs of different users, from casual browsing to focused research. All in all, the 3,000-square-foot library reflects AAA as a dynamic place for learning, discovery, and creative inquiry. The renovation is made possible by library sponsor Chinachem Group, and supported by members of AAA’s Board, Collectors Circle, and AAA Contemporaries, as well as individual, corporate and foundation supporters.
The renovated library officially reopens on 23 November 2022. The inaugural project in the library is The Collective School, which explores artist-driven, self-organised, and collective models of learning. Developed in collaboration with Jakarta-based collective Gudskul, which runs a grassroots school for other collectives, this project features an exhibition at AAA’s library; a series of online and onsite talks and workshops with artists, educators, thinkers, and academics; and new articles on AAA’s IDEAS Journal. The Collective School is supported by the Hong Kong Arts Development Council, Wendy Lee & Stephen Li, and Virginia & Wellington Yee.
AAA will launch Phase I of Ellen Pau’s personal archive in December 2022. In addition to being known as an artist and curator, Pau spearheaded Hong Kong’s new media and video art scene, notably as Co-founder of Videotage and the Microwave International New Media Arts Festival. Other collections launching in 2022–23 include the archives of the late pioneering Indian artist Mrinalini Mukherjee, and Chinese researcher and art critic Tao Yongbai.
AAA’s 2022 Annual Fundraiser is supported by Christie’s Hong Kong, Chubb, DETERMINANT, SALONI, Willis Towers Watson; media sponsors are The Artling, ArtReview, Design Anthology, Tatler Hong Kong, and Ocula.
AUCTION HIGHLIGHTS
This year’s auction features work by artists including Rita Ackermann, Mona Hatoum, Hon Chi Fun, Huang Rui, Sosa Joseph, Leung Chi Wo, Liu Jianhua, Alice Neel, Sin Wai Kin, Maria Taniguchi, Wang Yigang, and Zao Wou-Ki.
