Asia Art Weekly News Bulletin – ISSUE 18 Week of 9 June 2025
(1) Labubu figurines set records at auction as Hong Kong-designed soft toys’ popularity grows
Labubu figurines have rapidly become high-value collectibles, with rare editions selling for over a million yuan at auction.
(2) Beijing Wraps Up Inaugural ‘Art Season,’ Making Bid to Reclaim Top Spot in China’s Art Economy
Beijing is strengthening its position in the global art market with expanded cultural infrastructure and government-backed initiatives to attract international galleries and collectors.
(3) HKMoA Unveils Major Exhibition of Ancient Paintings and Calligraphy from Three Prestigious Collections
HKMoA’s latest exhibition brings together treasures from three world-class collections, showcasing 93 masterpieces from the Tang to Qing dynasties.
(4) Calligraphy exhibition honors Chinese literary tradition
Chao Daishuang’s Beijing exhibition celebrates his decades of research in ancient Chinese calligraphy, highlighting its cultural depth, scholarly significance, and role in shaping traditional values.
(1) Labubu figurines set records at auction as Hong Kong-designed soft toys’ popularity grows
(Photo Credit: SCMP)
Labubu figurines have surged in value, with a rare piece selling for over a million yuan at a Beijing auction. Created by Hong Kong-born artist Lung Ka-sing and produced by Pop Mart, these collectibles were originally priced between US$30 and US$300, but demand for limited editions has skyrocketed. The Yongle Auction sold 48 Labubu lots, attracting over 1,000 bidders and gaining massive online attention.
A 160cm brown Labubu figurine sold for 820,000 yuan, followed by a single-edition mint‑coloured figure that fetched 1.08 million yuan, setting a new record. Another notable sale included a set of Three Wise Labubu figurines, which previously exceeded estimates at Sotheby’s Hong Kong. These results confirm Labubu’s rapid rise in the collectible toy market.
Labubu has outpaced Bearbrick in value, reaching record prices in under six years. Some collectors have noted Bearbrick’s decline, shifting focus to Labubu as a long-term investment. Auction founder Zhao Xu believes Labubu has greater staying power, as it is an artist’s creation rather than mass-produced merchandise, further solidifying its status as an artistic collectible.
News Source: https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/arts/article/3313960/labubu-figurines-set-records-auction-hong-kong-designed-soft-toys-popularity-grows?module=perpetual_scroll_0&pgtype=article
(2) Beijing Wraps Up Inaugural ‘Art Season,’ Making Bid to Reclaim Top Spot in China’s Art Economy
(Photo Credit: Xinhua news Agency via Getty Images)
Beijing recently concluded its inaugural Beijing Art Season, featuring Gallery Weekend Beijing, Beijing Dangdai, and Art021 Beijing. Despite China’s economic slowdown, the event attracted collectors and curators from Germany, the UK, Korea, and Japan, highlighting Beijing’s continued importance in the global art market.
To strengthen Beijing’s position as a key hub for art trade, the city has expanded its cultural infrastructure. The 798 Art District merged with 751 D·PARK (an international cultural and creative industrial park), creating China’s largest art and design district. Government-backed initiatives, such as rental subsidies and tax-free art centres, aim to support galleries and attract international exhibitors.
While Beijing works to reclaim its status as China’s contemporary art capital, challenges remain, including trade tensions and tariffs affecting US galleries. European galleries are increasingly drawn to Beijing, seeing opportunities in its strong collector base, while American institutions face financial hurdles due to import taxes. Despite these obstacles, Beijing’s art market continues to evolve, with growing interest in Chinese artists and international collaborations.
News Source: https://www.artnews.com/art-news/market/beijing-china-gallery-weekend-art-season-recap-1234744646/
(3) HKMoA Unveils Major Exhibition of Ancient Paintings and Calligraphy from Three Prestigious Collections
(Photo Credit: Bastille Post Global)
The Hong Kong Museum of Art (HKMoA) has launched a major exhibition, The Pride of Hong Kong: Three Preeminent Collections of Ancient Paintings and Calligraphies, running from 11 June 2025 to 7 October 2025. This exhibition brings together treasures from three prestigious collections, Xubaizhai, Chih Lo Lou, and Bei Shan Tang, each assembled by dedicated collectors committed to preserving Chinese artistic heritage. Featuring 93 masterpieces spanning the Tang to Qing dynasties, the exhibition highlights Hong Kong’s golden age of art collecting.
The exhibition is a collaboration between HKMoA and the Art Museum of the Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK), with support from the Leisure and Cultural Services Department. Many of the artworks were acquired and safeguarded in Hong Kong during the mid-20th century, when foreign collectors sought Chinese national treasures.
Visitors can explore the exhibition across multiple galleries at HKMoA, with free admission. The event is accompanied by a catalogue and an international academic lecture series, featuring scholars who will discuss Chinese painting, calligraphy, and the history of collecting art. Sponsored by Bei Shan Tang Foundation, this exhibition forms part of the Chinese Culture Promotion Series, offering the public a rare opportunity to appreciate the depth and beauty of China’s artistic legacy.
News Source: https://www.bastillepost.com/global/article/4928101-hkmoa-unveils-major-exhibition-of-ancient-paintings-and-calligraphy-from-three-prestigious-collections
(4) Calligraphy exhibition honors Chinese literary tradition
(Photo Credit: Liao Jiaxin/ China.org.cn)
A calligraphy exhibition by Chao Daishuang, a research fellow at the National Museum of China, opened in Beijing. The exhibition highlights his decades of study and artistic achievements in ancient Chinese calligraphy. At the opening ceremony, Chao spoke about the deep intellectual and philosophical significance of calligraphy, emphasising its role in preserving traditional Chinese scholarly values.
Among the notable guests was Koh Hock Kiat, founding dean of the Confucius Institute at Nanyang Technological University, who described calligraphy as “the soul of Chinese culture.” He highlighted its close relationship with classical poetry and wisdom, suggesting it plays a subtle yet significant role in shaping children’s upbringing. Chao also spoke with attendees, stressing the importance of mastering the Chinese language to fully appreciate classical texts featured in calligraphy.
Chao further emphasised that genuine appreciation of calligraphy requires understanding its cultural roots. He encouraged young cultural workers to develop strong literary knowledge, believing that only those well-versed in classical texts can create meaningful calligraphy. On the subject of cultural diplomacy, he noted that its impact is often gradual, and persistent engagement in exchanges and lectures will ultimately yield meaningful results over time.
News Source: http://www.china.org.cn/2025-06/11/content_117921496.shtml
