Fairs boost city's status as global art trade hub

The upcoming Shanghai International Artwork Trade Week is expected to be the busiest period in the city's art scene, with six prominent art fairs, more than 100 auctions, exhibitions, and other art events being held from Nov 13 to 17.

This will be the 7th installment of the annual trade week, attended by more than 100 top-notch art institutions worldwide.

In the past six years, "Shanghai has been sending a signal to the global art scene that this period in early November is allocated for global art trade in Shanghai", according to Chen An'da, deputy general manager of Shanghai West Bund Development Group Co.

The two leading art fairs, West Bund Art & Design and ART021, will feature nearly 50 percent of the exhibitors from abroad.

The 12th edition of West Bund Art& Design, larger than ever, will take place from Nov 13 to 16. The fair will spread over five venues in the area, with the participation of 217 institutions. While some established galleries from around the world, such as Hauser & Wirth of Zurich, White Cube of London and Perrotin Gallery of Paris, have been regular participants in the fair for more than 10 years, 29 galleries will make their debut in Shanghai at the fair, Chen says.