SHANGHAI.-The goals and objectives set by the organizers for the first edition of ShContemporary have been achieved. Quality and content wise, ShContemporary in its first edition was able to position itself at the level of the most important and established international art fairs.

Moreover - the two unique curated sections, Best of Artists and Best of Discovery, included in ShContemporary created a milestone in the art fair scene.

The event attracted over 25,000 visitors during the opening and four day run of the fair from 6 to 9 September, 2007 - with 130 galleries from 23 countries participating in the fair. Exhibitors, both western and Asian galleries, reported strong business and excellent contacts. Due to its business success, the participating galleries have expressed their desire to return to ShContemporary 08. “…New York dealer James Cohan had sold a video by Bill Viola for $260,000 and a sculpture by Nam June Paik for $450,000 ….” reported Colin Gleadell in Daily Telegraph.

Most of the important international and Asian collectors, as well as curators and museum representatives from entire Asia attended the fair. Very unique for an international art fair, there was also a very high attendance of artists, especially from China and India, Japan and Korea. ShContemporary in its first year has already received strong media coverage worldwide.

Special exhibitions and receptions in the galleries of Shanghai as well as social events organized by local collectors and local VIPs have enriched ShContemporary and the local art scene in Shanghai. As Lu Jie, Director of the influential and non-commercial art space “Long March” in Beijing, expressed during a lecture held at the fair “…ShContemporary, not only the best art fair in China, but already the most exciting fair in the region. With ShContemporary, it’s not like in the past with only Chinese contemporary work being presented, but it’s totally international where local community can be educated to build an international collection.” During the same lecture, Zheng Shengtian, Managing Editor of Yishu, Journal of Contemporary Art stated “a new anecdote in the Chinese art Scene..

Question: What is the best art fair in China?

Reply: Maybe Art Beijing?

Question: What about ShContemporary?

Reply: Oh – this is one of the best in the world!”

The successful beginning of ShContemporary will have a large impact on the international art market and opens the door to future developments. The fair has the full support of the Asian art scene and is considered as its necessary and important platform in the international art world.

ShContemporary 08 which next year will open together with the Shanghai Biennale, promises to be only in its second year the meeting point in Asia for the international art world.