Early November is the time when London looks East and from November 5 to 14 for the 18th year the city will host Asian Art in London, an annual mix of gallery shows and receptions, symposia, auctions and other events designed to highlight the capital’s pre-eminent position in the international Asian art market.

It has become an international destination attracting dealers, curators and collectors from all over, particularly China.

For me and many others the highlight of Asia Week is the gallery shows, this year with 52 participating dealers.

The best way of catching the many exhibitions and receptions are the three open evenings held in Kensington Church Street on November 7, St. James’s on November 8 and Mayfair on November 9.

There are many worthwhile exhibitions, and not just the ubiquitous ‘Recent Acquisitions’. John Berwald celebrates his 30th anniversary with ‘Eight Transitional Treasures’ in Clifford Street, Cohen & Cohen present ‘Baroque and Roll’ at the Harris Lindsay Gallery in Jermyn Street, Francesca Galloway offers ‘Asian Textiles’ in Dover Street and Sam Fogg has a striking display of ‘Jalis Stone Screens from Mughal India’ in Clifford Street.

Over the years more and more overseas dealers take space at London galleries to mount shows. Dutch specialists Vanderven host ‘Chinese Enamel on Biscuit Porcelains’ at Shapero Rare Books in St. Georges Street, Christophe Hioco from Paris is at Mackinnon Fine Art in Ryder Street and Gus Roell from Maastricht is at Daniel Crouch in Bury Street.

From the beginning the emphasis has been on traditional Asian art but contemporary work is increasingly well represented. You can expect other exciting developments at Asian Art in London with the appointment of Sarah Percy-Davis as chairman late last year. She distinguished herself as a successful chief executive at LAPADA until 2013.

This Asiafest has its serious and academic side but the social highlight is the AAL Gala Party which will be held at the Mandarin Oriental in Hyde Park on November 6. Tickets are £60 each but worth it, the whole Asian art world turns out for this party.

David Moss
MasterArt Storybook