Shanghai – Christie’s is excited to present the inaugural one-day art symposium Fundamentals of Western Art: Modernism in Europe. Recognising China’s growing interest in the art scene beyond Asian Art, Christie’s aims to reach this audience by organising a conference intended to explore the beginning of ‘modern art’ and its concept, to provide a broad overview of major artistic movements, such as Fauvism and Cubism, Dada and Surrealism, as well as discussing Paris as an artistic capital.

Participants will gain a systematic framework through art historical survey lectures, coupled with specialist-led gallery tours, as well as discussions on the development of the market and current collecting trends. The programme will be conducted in Mandarin Chinese. Confirmed speakers include Jun Jiang, Curator & Art Critic, Elaine Kwok, Director of Chairman’s Office, Christie’s Asia & former Director of Christie’s Education Asia, Jinqing Cai, Chairman,  Christie’s China, and Bo Tan, Regional Director, Impressionist & Modern Art, Christie's Beijing.

Sara Mao, Director, Christie’s Education Asia: “As a global market leader in art education, Christie’s Education remains committed to its role in promoting dialogue and cultural exchange within the art ecology in China. With a great surge in Western Art in Mainland China, this symposium will allow access and share expertise in the fundamentals of Modernism in Europe for art lovers, collectors and institutions alike.”

Charlotte Liu, Managing Director, Christie’s China: “We are truly delighted to introduce the first symposium of its kind to China during our Shanghai autumn auctions this season. The symposium aims to offer a new and dedicated channel for Chinese art enthusiasts to gain deeper and holistic understandings about the art world through systematic approaches. This aligns strategically with our mission in China and again demonstrates our confidence in this market.”

The programme will also provide insights into the art market and current trends and include a unique preview tour of Christie’s Shanghai autumn sales led by seasoned Christie’s specialists. The auction taking place on 21^st September will feature three cross category sales - First Open | Shanghai, 20th Century & Contemporary Art and Treasures of Chishui River – Kweichow Moutai, to meet the increasingly diversified appetite and interest among Chinese connoisseurs and collectors.

Christie’s is the only international auction house directly running an international academic institution, which provides its students with a unique hands-on experience. Christie’s Education is with its 40 years long experience an established and credible market leader overseas in art education offering a wide range of higher and continuing education courses. Programmes in Asia cover extensive and diverse topics, from Asian Contemporary Art and Chinese Works of Art, to Jewellery, Art History and Art Business. These are available in English and Mandarin. Christie’s Education Asia also successfully partnered with top business schools and universities, including China Europe International Business School, Cheung Kong Graduate School of Business, the University of Hong Kong and Yale Center Beijing.

The first art symposium Fundamentals of Western Art: Modernism in Europe will take place on 19^th September, 10am – 5pm at No. 1 Waitanyuan, 33 Zhongshan East 1st Road, Shanghai. For more information and to register, please visit our websites or email ceevents@christies.com.