The painting work on peach blossoms by the famous artist Zhou Chunya, which was sold for 800,000 yuan ($112,622.5) at the last Art Amoy International Art Fair.. [Photo provided to gofujian.com]

The 2024 Art Amoy InternationalArt Fair, a cornerstone event in China's contemporary art scene, opened its doors on Oct 17 at the Xiamen International Conference and Exhibition Centre in East China's Fujian province. This year's edition has transformed the venue into a vibrant hub of creativity and cultural exchange.

Bringing together nearly 80 galleries and institutions from seven countries and regions, the exposition showcases an impressive collection of 10,000 contemporary artworks by around 1,000 artists within its expansive 7,000-square-meter exhibition space.

The fair is divided into two main sections: "International Galleries" and "Public Art", offering a diverse range of artistic mediums, including paintings, installations, sculptures, photographs, and digital art. Notable international galleries such as Andy Art Curator Co Ltd, Eslite Gallery, and Silver Fern International Art Centre are among the participants.

The exposition features masterpieces by renowned artists like Wu Guanzhong, Zao Wou-Ki, and Cai Guoqiang, while also providing a platform for emerging talent to showcase their innovative works.

A key highlight of this year's fair is its emphasis on integrating regional characteristics. Qiu Ping, executive director of the Art Amoy International Art Fair, underlined the event's deep ties to Xiamen, highlighting the city's strategic significance as the closest mainland city to Taiwan and a free trade zone. The fair shines a spotlight on Fujian's rich artistic traditions, presenting materials such as Dehua white porcelain, Hui'an stone carving, Fuzhou lacquer, and Minnan red brick in contemporary interpretations that blend traditional craftsmanship with modern artistic concepts.

Over its ten-year history, the Art Amoy International Art Fair has become a significant cultural landmark for Xiamen, fostering cross-Strait cultural and artistic exchange. The success of this year's event further cements Xiamen's aspiration to establish itself as the "Eastern Basel", drawing parallels to the renowned Art Basel fair.

A gallery owner introduces paintings to the audience. [Photo provided to gofujian.com]

Zhang Jixuan contributed to this story.