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The winners of the 2019 Asia Arts Game Changer Awards, from left to right: IMRAN QURESHI, NATEE UTARIT, CHRISTINE AY TJOE, and FANG LI JUN, at the award ceremony on March 29. Courtesy Asia Society Hong Kong Center.
On March 29, Asia Society presented artists Christine Ay Tjoe, Fang Lijun, Imran Qureshi, and Natee Utarit with this year’s Hong Kong Asia Arts Game Changer Awards at a gala ceremony held at the Four Seasons Hotel.
One of Indonesia’s most prominent contemporary artists, Ay Tjoe produces dramatic abstract drawings, paintings, sculptures and installations that explore spirituality, psychology and the human condition through the lens of her personal experiences. Fang, a pioneer of China’s Cynical Realist movement, is best known for his paintings of his signature bald-headed figures that represent the disillusionment and anxiety that permeated Chinese society after the 1980s economic reforms and Tiananmen Square massacre. Lahore-based Qureshi is noted for his site-specific installations and paintings that synthesize contemporary themes with traditional motifs and techniques drawn from Indo-Persian miniature painting. Thai artist Utarit addresses socio-political issues in his home country through neoclassical paintings loaded with Eastern and Western symbolism.
Asia Society’s annual Hong Kong award recognizes significant contributions made by artists and arts professionals. All proceeds from the gala will be used to advance Asia Society’s global cultural initiatives.
Past honorees include Chinese contemporary painter Zeng Fanzhi, Superflat founder Takashi Murakami, Taiwanese sculptor Ju Ming, Dansaekhwa pioneer Park Seo-bo, Iranian artist Shirazeh Houshiary, and Indian multimedia artist Subodh Gupta.
Xuan Wei Yap is ArtAsiaPacific’s editorial intern.
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