The 27th edition of Art Taipei, one of the largest art fairs in Asia, kicked off at the Taipei World Trade Center on Oct. 22 and will run through Oct. 26, offering art lovers the chance to enjoy diverse artworks from six countries.
According to the organizer, although the number of participating overseas galleries in 2020 Art Taipei has decreased due to COVID-19 travel restrictions, visitors are able to see artworks presented by 77 galleries, with 53 from Taiwan and 12 from abroad.
Titled "Art for the Next," this year's Art Taipei is composed of sections highlighting artworks by emerging indigenous artists and aspiring creators from Taiwan, in addition to one that spotlights veteran indigenous artists' creations.
Organized by the Ministry of Culture and Taiwan Art Gallery Association, the fair also features themed exhibitions, including one that presents artworks by Southeast Asian artists who studied in Taiwan during the post war period, and a display that showcases photography of urban landscapes.
While renowned Japanese sculptor Kohei Nawa's artwork Throne, previously displayed inside the Louvre Pyramid in 2018, is also on view at Art Taipei, a series of art salons and a lecture addressing the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the arts and cultural sector are also available at the event.
Speaking at the event's opening on Oct. 22, Minister of Culture Lee Yung-te said the Ministry has teamed up with Art Taipei to promote artworks by young Taiwanese artists for years and the art fair has now become an important event that cultivates emerging creators in the nation.
This year, Lee noted, his Ministry also worked with the Council of Indigenous Peoples to showcase Taiwan's cultural and creative diversity at Art Taipei with the hope that the annual event will become one of the most important art fairs worldwide.
Art Taipei has been held by the Taiwan Art Gallery Association since 1992 and is widely regarded as one of most important art fairs in Asia connecting the forefront of art to the world, according to its organizer.
All visitors are required to have their temperature measured and disinfect hands at the entrance to the fair. They must also wear surgical mask at all times throughout the visit. More information about the fair is available here.