12th July 2019: Belle Salle Roppongi was teeming with talented artists, leading galleries and appreciative art lovers in their thousands as the city of Tokyo played host to the 5th annual Tokyo International Art Fair.
The two day art fair, one of the highlights of the city’s cultural calendar, featured work created by leading artists from around the world including Ron English, Cho, Hui-Chin, High Art Gallery and Araki Nobuyoshi. Artists and visitors alike declared it a huge success, with record numbers turning out to show, enjoy and buy art.
More than 100 exhibitors from 23 countries travelled to Tokyo to take part in the largest free to attend showcase of contemporary art seen in the city. Paintings, sculpture, photography, illustrations, jewellery and bespoke crafts transformed the setting into a sea of colours, as the aisles buzzed with excitement as visitors chatted to the artists and snapped up unique works.
Trade was brisk, with artists and galleries reporting strong sales throughout the event, as Tokyo International Art Fair director and curator Joëlle Dinnage explains. “It was the fifth time that I and my colleagues from the Global Art Agency travelled to Tokyo to host the art fair and this year surpassed all our expectations,” she says.
“I can honestly say that it was one of the busiest, most vibrant art fairs we have ever organised anywhere in the world, with an incredible atmosphere on both days. The excitement was palpable.
“Wherever I looked, I saw artists, surrounded by enthralled visitors, talking passionately about their work. We were totally bowled over by the level of talent on display, something which made judging the Tokyo International Art Fair Awards on the second day harder than ever. Finally, we did select our winners1 and I warmly congratulate them, though everyone who took part was worthy of praise,” she says.
WINNERS OUTSTANDING ARTIST AWARDS TIAF 2019
1) Harry Arling (Netherlands) middle https://www.instagram.com/kosmotroniks
2) Jiro Shimizu (Austria) left www.jiro.tv
3) Tunikov (Russia) right www.tunikov.com
The organisers’ enthusiasm was matched by the artists present, who were quick to share their appreciation for the event.
“It was a great opportunity to be a part of the show. I was able to meet an incredible amount of extremely talented artists as well as gallery representatives from all around the country and the world. I can’t thank you enough. I know that being part of such a high calibre event is going to be a major part of my success story,” says American artist Johnny, the “The Spilt Ink”, who resides in Tokyo.
“I too had a great time at the Tokyo International Art Fair,” says Dutch artist Stephan van Riezen. “I sold a few paintings, but most importantly, I met amazing people. I’m in love with Tokyo now, something which is giving me great inspiration.”
"Tokyo was great and so was the art fair,” adds painter Rima Chahine. “I sold all of my paintings, so I am very happy with the results. The atmosphere of the opening night and the second day was stunning and captivating. I made many friends, both artists and collectors, and met buyers and potential buyers.”
Dates for the sixth Tokyo International Art Fair are beginning of June 2020, applications to participate will open shortly, but in the meantime, artists and galleries can register their interest for next year’s event by going to http://www.tokyoartfair.com/apply-to-exhibit-tokyo-art-fair.
More information about the event can be found at www.tokyoartfair.com.
The event is organised by http://www.globalartagency.com/
ENDS
Press contacts:
Sarah Pracey + 44 7985 112 777 / sarah@praceypr.com
office@globalartagency.com / contact@joelledinnage.com www.joelledinnage.com
Note to editors:
Details of the winners of the Tokyo International Art Fair Awards 2019 can be found here.