ASIA WEEK NEW YORK: A CELEBRATION OF ASIAN ART (c) by Polly Guerin

White Old Man, early XIX century, Buriatia at Wei Asian Arts (Trinity House)

Celebrating and promoting Asian art in New York City, Asia Week New York, from March 15 to 23, is a collaboration of top-tier Asian art specialists, major auction houses, world-renowned museums and Asian Cultural institutions participating in a cultural treasure with thousands of ancient and contemporary Asian works on view---all in venues that can happen only in New York my friends, the best of New York. The non-stop event filled-week draws collectors, curators and the- culturally minded individuals to the Big Apple. New Yorkers, tourists and cultural mavens visiting the installations get a first hand view of galleries, dealer exhibitions, and special events. All I can say is “Wow, Be There.” Here’s the scoop!!!

Jishou Decoration Soutern Song-Yuan Dnyasty at Zetterquist Galleries

THE ART SCENE An unprecedented forty-three local and international dealers are participating in Asia Week New York bringing a wide span of Asian art in diverse vernissages all around town. The ancient and modern works of art range from ancient Japanese roof tiles to contemporary paintings by the abstract artist Zhu Jin Shi, while traditional works include a bronze bodhisattva to magnificent scrolls by ancient artists that transport you to exotic origins and imaginary settings. Over at the auction house, Sotheby’s offers several venues including a lecture by Dr. Britta Erickson, Shulmo/Water Ink: Chinese contemporary ink paintings. Free and open to the public.

A MYRIAD OF VENUES The venues are too numerous to mention here but here are a few highlights. Zetterquist Galleries at 3 East 66th Street presents a collection of Jizhou ceramics, a rare opportunity to view over thirty works from the Northern Song and Yuan Dynasties which are known for their beauty and for the breadth of decorative techniques and patterns. Over at Arader Galleries, 29 E. 72 Street on view are Santos of London, Buddhist Art, Christophe Hiroco and Xanadu. Wei Asian Art, at 24 East 64th Street (Trinity House Paintings) presents a thematic exhibition, “Devotion and Protection,” a collection of the finest miniature thangka paintings from Buriatia and Mongolia. For a complete schedule go to AsiaWeekNewYork.com

Ta Ta Darlings!!! With such a rich offering of ancient and contemporary Asian works on view as you go about town, remember to wear good walking shoes. Fan mail welcome at pollytalk@verizon.net. Polly’s Blogs are best accessed at her website pollytalk.com.