TAIPEI (TVBS News) — ART TAIPEI opened to the public Friday (Oct. 24) as Taiwan's sole international art fair following the recent cancellation of rival Taipei Dangdai's 2026 edition. The 32nd annual event at Taipei World Trade Center (臺北世貿) brings together 127 galleries from six countries amid a challenging global art market that declined 12% in 2024, according to Swiss bank UBS.
Hong Kong's Kwai Fung Hin Art Gallery returned to the fair after years of absence, with CEO Catherine Kwai reporting that Taiwanese buyers comprise a growing share of their international client base. Kwai noted significant demographic shifts toward younger collectors while seeking to observe evolving art world trends from other participating galleries. The gallery's featured centerpiece showcases a historically significant 1931 painting by Chinese-French artist Sanyu as its primary exhibition showpiece.
Harvey Liu (劉昊崴), senior marketing and sales specialist at Taiwan's Asia Art Center (亞洲藝術中心), said Taiwanese artists lack international recognition compared to global counterparts, with his gallery working to raise their profile internationally. Liu noted most fair visitors are Taiwanese, reflecting the art market's predominantly localized nature. The gallery prominently features sculptures by renowned artist Li Zhen (李真) among other notable exhibited works.
The fair occurs amid challenging global art market conditions, with Swiss bank UBS reporting a significant 12% market decline throughout 2024, particularly affecting higher-end sales segments. Taipei Dangdai recently cancelled its planned 2026 edition after successfully holding six annual events since its establishment. ART TAIPEI now stands as Taiwan's sole remaining international art fair, consolidating the island's art market presence.
Claudia Chen (陳菁螢), president of the Taiwan Art Gallery Association (中華民國畫廊協會) that organizes ART TAIPEI, said the fair now faces global rather than domestic competition from major international art events worldwide. This year's event strategically emphasizes Taiwan's rich cultural heritage while meaningfully combining aesthetic presentations with pressing social issues. The comprehensive approach aims to attract a significantly broader and more diverse international collector base.
This year's theme, "Intersect: Diversity Equals Togetherness," explores Taiwan's complex social issues regarding gender, ethnicity, and marginalized identity representation through contemporary art exhibitions. The fair features four major thematic zones specifically highlighting Indigenous and Hakka artists, Taiwan's significant ethnic minorities, alongside a comprehensive curator-led lecture series discussing art's societal future. International galleries Perrotin and Whitestone Gallery participate alongside established domestic venues, including Liang Gallery (尊彩藝術中心) and first-time participant Artemin Gallery.
The event features 127 galleries from six countries, including 71 Taiwanese participants, running until Monday (Oct. 27) at Taipei World Trade Center's Hall 1, Taiwan's premier exhibition venue. Public access begins Friday (Oct. 24) from 2 p.m. to 7 p.m., continuing Saturday and Sunday (Oct. 25-26) from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., and concluding Monday (Oct. 27) from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Regular admission tickets cost NT$600 (around US$19.48) per person. ◼
