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In Hong Kong Alleys, East Meets West

By Peggy Roalf   Wednesday May 2, 2007

wolf_richter.jpgHong Kong-based photographer Michael Wolf, widely known for his Architecture of Density series, has recently photographed artists who churn out copied art so well done it can fool the experts. His Copy Art series, which reflects China's new economy and the trend of mass production all up and down the food chain, goes on view at the Robert Koch Gallery in San Francisco Thursday, May 3. There is an opening reception for the artist from 5:30 to 7:30 pm.

In the West, the current boom in contemporary Chinese art has provided exciting moments at auctions and art fairs. A colossal painting by Zhang Xiaogang recently fetched $1.5 million. Last November, a painting by Liu Xiaodong went for $2.7 million, a new record for contemporary Chinese art.

Back East, China's booming economy has created a bubbling art market all its own. However, many newly rich consumers prefer Western art, which still commands higher prices than home grown offerings. In fact, prices for contemporary Western art in China are so high that a multi-million dollar copy art industry has emerged to meet the demand. Left, Michael Wolf: Copy Art # 42, Gerhard Richter, euro 25, courtesy of Robert Koch Gallery.

Away from Beijing's avant-garde enclaves, highly skilled painters are turning out copies of contemporary art, much of it priced for mass consumption. But it makes perfect sense, when you think of traditional Chinese painting. The most revered landscape artists were not trying to create something new. They studied masterpieces and then made a copy to honor the master, adding a personal touch to differentiate the new painting from the original.


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