Asia as a driver of Latin American art

Latin American art has gained ground in offering unique narratives and perspectives that engage with the sensibilities of this public
The Asian market has emerged as a catalyst for some Latin American artists, generating global interest in figures such as Colombian Fernando Botero, Cuban Wifredo Lam and, more recently, Venezuelan Oswaldo Vigas. The successful insertion of these artists in Asia has raised their recognition and also strengthened their positions on the international scene.

Within the broad spectrum of Western artists, the Impressionist masters have historically captured the attention of Asian collectors. A memorable milestone was the record achieved by Van Gogh's Sunflowers, auctioned at Christie's London in 1987 for 39.5 million dollars, a staggering figure for its time. That same year, Irises was sold for 53.9 million at Sotheby's New York, consolidating the Asian fervor for Western masterpieces. Since then, the interest of Asian collectors in acquiring the emblematic cultural symbols of the West has not stopped increasing. Artists such as the North Americans Jean-Michel Basquiat, Andy Warhol, or the German Gerhard Richter have seen their works sold at stratospheric prices, driving the main international galleries to establish offices in strategic cities such as Hong Kong, Shanghai, Seoul, Tokyo and Singapore. In this context, Latin American art has gained ground to offer unique narratives and perspectives that dialogue with the sensibilities of this public.
Fernando Botero: universality and stability

The Colombian Fernando Botero has established himself as the most coveted Latin American artist in Asia. His exhibitions at the National Museum of China, in Beijing (2015), and the Shanghai Art Museum (2016) marked a before and after in his positioning in this region. In a market characterized by volatility, Botero has maintained an upward trajectory, reaching a bid of $5,132,000 for The Musicians in 2024, when it was auctioned at Christie's. The universality of his themes, such as love, family and passion, has managed to resonate with an audience whose society is moving towards emotional disconnection in favor of economic dynamics. Botero represents a bridge that connects human roots with a cultural imaginary that transcends borders.
Wifredo Lam: a multicultural legacy

The case of Wifredo Lam has stood out for his ability to dialogue with his Chinese roots and his Afro-Cuban heritage. The eighth child of a Cantonese immigrant settled in Cuba, Lam combined elements of both cultures in his work, which has sparked growing interest in Asia. His retrospective at the Asia Society in Hong Kong in 2023 and exhibitions in Beijing, Shanghai and Hangzhou have reinforced his place in this market. The auction of his work Omi obini (1943), for 9.6 million dollars, underlines the value given to his multicultural vision, capable of dialoguing with the cultural complexities of Asia.
Two new exhibitions by Oswaldo Vigas in Asia

More recently, after the publication of his catalogue raisonné in 2022, the Venezuelan Oswaldo Vigas has begun to establish himself in the most competitive and demanding market on the international scene. His work, which spans more than seven decades, combines elements of Venezuelan mythology and pre-Hispanic art with contemporary European aesthetics and a visual language that celebrates the richness of his mestizo identity. This synthesis, which Vigas described as a cross between three continents, provides his production with a symbolism that transcends cultural barriers.

Following his first exhibition at Hong Kong’s Kwai Fung-Hin Gallery in 2023, the institution has announced two further solo exhibitions that will broaden the understanding of the Latin American modernist in Asia. The first, to be held in the same Hong Kong space, will open in January 2025 and will demonstrate the artist’s ability to move between different media, presenting his sculpture, ceramics and tapestry for the first time in Asia. The next step in this strategy will be an exhibition at the institution’s headquarters in Singapore in 2026. According to Catherine Kwai, director of the gallery, “despite the geographical distance where it was created, Vigas’ work establishes an immediate emotional connection with the Asian public. The use of his symbols and archetypes connects us, regardless of our place of origin, with our most primitive emotions.
Kwai's words emphasize the universal character of Vigas' work, consolidating him as a reference both for Latin American modernism and for the global art world. After the beginning of the collaboration with the Asian institution, his work "Concitadoras" from 1972 reached a value of 440,500 dollars during the auction of Modern Art of the Sotheby's house.
Global connection through art

The presence of Latin American artists in the Asian market reflects an enriching cultural interaction that transcends geographies. Asia's interest in these creators underlines the universal value of their works and reaffirms the importance of their place in a global scenario in constant transformation.
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