More than 8000 art aficionados were eager to enter through the doors of Omotesando Hills over the weekend (Friday 13th and Saturday 14th May 2016) as Tokyo city hosted the second Tokyo International Art Fair organised by the Global Art Agency (GAA Ltd).

The Space-O hall at the venue was arranged to perfection with over 150 artist and gallery stands from over 30 countries from around the world. The atmosphere was charged with positive vibes as visitors took in the wide range of original art available and took pieces they had purchased home.

Visitors were sipping away on Martini Champagne and Bombay Sapphire Cocktails sponsored by Bacardi Japan, whilst looking around to invest into a piece of original art.

Exhibitor Sabet from California sold one of his original paintings "Snow Monkey" for a substantial price of ¥1,300,000. He said; "Thank you to Global Art Agency for giving me a platform to sell here at the Tokyo International Art Fair - it has been amazing and I'll forever be grateful to the GAA team! Can't wait till next year!"

Tahe D from Tahiti said; "Thanks to this event I have sold my art and most importantly I am now sponsored by Air Tahiti and Tropical Vision. It has been amazing!"

Ernesto Heen who was represented at the Digital Art Showcase: "Thank you for the great Tokyo International Art Fair. Promoting my work that was shown on the Digital Art Screens even if I couldn’t be there in person. I look forward to the next occasion and would like to congratulate all participating artists and the GAA Art Event Team for their great work."

Frank van der Meijden from the Netherlands sold completely out after he met a collector coming all the way from Spain to the event. "I am over the moon, I had one of the biggest stands and I completely sold out. Big thanks to the organisation."

Frank wasn't the only one that sold out. Shane Bowden (Australia, living in San Diego) represented by the New York Gallery (Japan) sold also completely out and was one of the highlights of the show.

Visitors also enjoyed the Me-Fie booth were they could create long-lasting TIAf 2016 memories in the form of selfies with special effects.

The Contemporary Art of Excellence Book Volume II was in populair demand at the event, with over 150 books sold at the fair to collectors coming from as far as United States, Singapore and Hong Kong.

The weekend culminated in the announcement on Saturday afternoon of the winner of the "Best Tokyo International Art Fair Artist" in show by both the panel of judges and members of the public.

First place went to August Vilella (Barcelona) who creates oil paintings by means of a surreal-intuitive method. Second place went to Sezon Art Gallery (Tokyo), and third price to Shingo420 (Tokyo). The Facebook competition winner voted by the public went to Babtiste Tavernier

Organisers of the fair; Satoshi Maruhashi, Joëlle Dinnage and Natal Vallvé from the Global Art Agency added their appreciation to the city’s reaction to the event and the enthusiasm they found from artists and visitors alike.

“TIAF 2016 was a great success not only for the big amount of visitors and sales, but also for the fine selection of exhibitors from all around the world. It was a window of what's going on in the Contemporary Art world nowadays due the best artists from different countries from around the world represented the style, the concept and new languages from each country showing the different personalities in the art world." Natal Vallvé said.

Joëlle Dinnage organiser added: "I am extremely happy with the sales this year, it has exceeded last year's event in Tokyo. The first prize winner of this year's Best TIAF Artist Award August Vilella is in the process of selling 3 artworks worth $45,000 in total. This is a substantial amount for an individual emerging artist, and shows how much new talent is out there that has huge potential. Seeing the exhibitors so fulfilled makes us very happy."

“We’ll be back for more in 2017 and are already planning next year’s event,” Satoshi Maruhashi said.

For more information on next year’s Tokyo International Art Fair and other forthcoming events, please visit www.tokyoartfair.com or www.globalartagency.com Like us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/GlobalArtAgency and follow us on Twitter
https://twitter.com/GlobalArtAgency

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Press contacts:
Satoshi Maruhahi agent@globalartagency.com

"Rolling Stones" by Mr Brainwash (Los Angeles) - Represented by New York Gallery (Tokyo)

Press Release II : For immediate release.

22nd April 2015: Artistic talent from all around the world as well as from Japan is converging on Tokyo next month as the city gets ready to hold the first Tokyo International Art Fair from 22nd to 23rd May 2015 at Harajuku Quest Hall.

Some 150 outstanding artists and distinguished galleries from 30 countries as far flung as United Kingdom, Scandinavia, Netherlands, Bangladesh, Hong Kong, China, India, Russia, Africa, the USA and Australia and many prestigious exhibitors from the city itself will be out in force at the fantastic free two-day art extravaganza.

Art by Shane Bowden — Art by Shane Bowden

Among these are Tokyo based New York Gallery, who represent the artworks by Los Angeles based Mr Brainwash (known from his role in the Oscar nominated "Exit Through the Gift Shop" a film by Banksy.) And also represent the Australia's Brisbane-born artist Shane Bowden based in California. Known for his intuitive, free feeling and wacky themes. Shane is like a Andy Warhol injected with steroids, and is likened to Damien Hirst. Collage technique, unpredictable material, and forms being created in the mess deliberately. From Tony Blair (former Prime Minister of the United Kingdom) up to the conference room of the Vogue Magazine, his artwork has been loved by a wide range from prominent collectors from around the world, regardless of genre. Shane will attend the Tokyo Art Fair in person so a unique opportunity to meet him!

Krystal & Glam Luxury art gallery - Daniele Donde

Tokyo based Krystal & Glam luxury art Gallery represent the works by Daniele Donde. Handcrafted fine artworks that have great detail, and is dazzled with glamorous and precious stones. The artworks have been featured by the press globally and is a must-see, or a must-buy.

9th Wave Gallery (Hawaii) will have a collection of contemporary art incorporating everything from Zen Surrealism to Hawaiian Surf Art, by a selection of international artists that create cutting edge art, presenting them with a message of Aloha.

Local Japanese artists that participate include;
Asako Iwamizu, famous for the use of vibrant colors eliciting a sense of joy. Hayato Shiratori, known for his Manga art. Ginger, illustrator, sign-writer, pin striper, and graphic artist. Gypsy.P, musician and spiritual artist. Yucchi Design By Evolve, surf art and design, original art boards and wetsuits. Susanow, Street Artist. TAIKEN, urban artist with a love for HipHop. Fusako Ekuni, working with the mysteries of the light and the energy. Sunrise Welward Art, self taught Artist from Ireland, living in Japan inspired by South-Africa where she grew up.

…and many other exhibitors living locally in Tokyo.

"Guna" by Demian Dressler represented by 9th Wave Gallery

Satoshi Maruhashi (Tokyo): "I have been looking forward to the Tokyo Art Fair for a very long time. It's great that Japanese Artists as well as European and many other Nationalities are coming together for this first huge artist art fair in Tokyo."

Christine Walters - Live Performance Art

Christine Walters (USA) who will take part is a Performance Artist who paints the abstract of LIVE DJ music. Born in Indiana, schooled in Alabama and cultured in New York City Walters comes from an artistically divers family which she accredits her love for combining music and performance painting. For Christine music is not just music, it's a medium that spills onto a surface. - "It will be a spectacular show at the Tokyo Art Fair."

Sarah Britten (South-Africa) works in a somewhat unusual medium: lipstick. (Yes, really.) Sarah started working with it in 2002, when she became involved with a Range Rover campaign in late 2010 that she began to paint lipstick cityscapes.

"Red Bull" by Sarah Britten - Lipstick Art

Souren Mousavi (UK) was born is Persia in 1969 and her ancestral family is linked to the Persian Monarchy. Her childhood found her embroiled in the Iran-Iraq war which was to have a lasting impact on her life. Souren`s passion for all things artistic eventually resulted in her graduating with a Master’s Degree in Fine Art from the University of Tehran. Her expression of freedom and her commitment to women`s rights led to her arrest and eventual imprisonment. Her work was deemed offensive by the regime and Souren was to experience many years of darkness. Souren now lives and works in Shakespeare’s birthplace, Stratford-Upon-Avon.

Curator Joelle Dinnage, says about the selection “The applications to participate exceeded expectations, that's why the selection process has been very strict and resulted in a divers and profound selection, which has all of its exhibitors fizzing with excitement of being part of the inaugural event. It has also got a great declaration of how popular contemporary visual art is in Tokyo, with hundreds tickets pre-booked visitors waiting to attend with anticipation. The organisation Global Art Agency Ltd is extremely looking forward to this event, as its the first (of many) in Asia."

Natal Vallve also a Curator at the organisation said: "Asian artists nowadays are one of the most emerging artists around the world, and we can see the same is happening with the asian art market, which growing extensively. We are proud to be the first UK based organisation bringing so much talent together to Tokyo, and also our collectors have been fanatic to come to the art fair from many different countries such as Spain, and UK to see the extraordinary show."

Among paintings on show there will be sculptures, photography art, illustrations, street & urban art, illuminated artworks by Vinki Qoz (China), and live performance art accompanied with live music from several well-known Japanese DJ's.

The Tokyo International Art Fair takes place at Harajuku Quest Hall on Friday 22nd May 2015 with the private viewing from 6pm to 9pm with tickets costing 1500 JPY and include a glass of Champagne, live music and the chance to meet some of the high profile artists and galleries taking part.

On Saturday 23rd May 2015 the fair is open to the public and free to enter from 11.00am - 17.00pm with the Global Art Award Ceremony at 16.00pm in which the Best Artist Award will be announced.

For more information please visit www.tokyoartfair.com

***** END ****

Press contacts:
Satoshi Maruhashi (Tokyo based) +81 90 33984293 agent@globalartagency.com
Joelle Dinnage (UK based) +44(0)7825 443925 office@globalartagency.com

Venue:
Quest Hall - Harajuku. Jingumae, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo 1-13-14, 3F
TEL: 03-3470-6331

Tickets:
http://www.tokyoartfair.com/tickets/

www.globalartagency.com

Success for second Tokyo International Art Fair 2016 - Omotesando Hills

Tokyo's newest art fair brings global talent, famous names, and street-art to Harajuku!

Press Release II : For immediate release.

SAKURA Art & CULTURE GROUP