Guided viewing: Fine Art Asia “CRAFT Now” and “Back on Paper” at Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre
The HKU Museum Society is pleased to organise a guided tour of Fine Art Asia 2025 at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre. Since its establishment in 2006, Fine Art Asia has rapidly gained a reputation as the region’s most distinguished annual fine art fair. It presents museum-quality artworks spanning more than 5,000 years of cultural history, featuring a carefully curated selection of exquisite antiques from East and West, fine craftsmanship, contemporary art, and designer jewellery.
In a bold step forward, the 2025 edition will unveil two major new exhibiting sections: “CRAFT Now” and “Back on Paper”, both reflecting the growing trend of cross-collecting and further expanding the fair’s dynamic scope.
“CRAFT Now”
“CRAFT Now” will make its debut as a celebration of contemporary crafts of exceptional artistic and collectable value. This curated showcase brings together esteemed galleries, with a particular focus on innovative artisans from across Asia. Many of these makers are formally recognised for their mastery of traditional techniques and honoured as preservers of intangible cultural heritage by national or cultural authorities.
The “CRAFT Now” pavilion is curated by Susanna Pang of the Contemporary Crafts Centre, and is further enriched by the expertise of veteran curator Ying Jian and the accomplished consultant in the fields of craft and design Eva Quan Li. With its emphasis on playful designs and high artistic value, the pavilion aims to engage a new generation of collectors and to elevate the appreciation of contemporary craft within the wider art community.
“Back on Paper”
Spanning approximately 150 square meters, the “Back on Paper” pavilion offers a serene and contemplative space devoted to the artistry of works on paper. This thoughtfully curated pavilion presents 30-50 exceptional pieces that traverse geographies and centuries, inviting collectors and connoisseurs to engage with the medium in its most intimate form.
Among the highlights are masterful ukiyo-e woodblock prints by Utagawa Kuniyoshi (1797-1861) and Tsukioka Yoshitoshi (1839-1892), created during the pinnacle of Edo-period printmaking; a delicate etching by Pierre-Auguste Renoir (1841-1919), whose Impressionist sensibility captures the fleeting grace of Parisian life; and striking lithographs by Joan Miró (1893-1983) and Zao Wou-Ki (1921-2013), produced in the 1960s and 1970s, reflecting the bold experimentation of modernism across cultures.
The pavilion also pays homage to Robert Hatfield Ellsworth (1929–2014), the distinguished American scholar, dealer, and collector whose legacy shaped Western appreciation of Asian art. A selection of rare books from his personal collection will be on display, offering a glimpse into his lifelong dedication to cross-cultural dialogue and the preservation of artistic heritage.
“CRAFT Now” and “Back on Paper” – “Together, they reflect the evolution of Fine Art Asia: introducing craft as a new element in celebration of our 20th anniversary, and embracing the ‘back to basics’ concept that has been at the heart of the fair since its inception.” Andy Hei
More information about the exhibition can be found at:
Photo credit: Fine Art Asia