Fabien Fryns: Owner of F2 Gallery in Beijing and Fabien Fryns Fine Art Gallery in Los Angeles

The Growing Art Market in China

Fabien Fryns, the owner of F2 Gallery in Beijing and Fabien Fryns Fine Art Gallery in Los Angeles, has witnessed the significant development of the art market in China over the past few years. When he first arrived in China in 2004, the majority of his sales were to overseas collectors, mainly from Western Europe and North America. However, as the country’s disposable income has increased, there has been a notable shift in the market.

An Increase in Chinese Collectors

Fryns notes that when he first arrived in China, there were only a handful of mainland Chinese collectors. However, now, the majority of buyers at contemporary auctions on the mainland are Asian. In his own gallery, he has seen a rise in Chinese clients, particularly those seeking top-quality contemporary works by Chinese and Western masters. These collectors are willing to spend large amounts of money and are seeking expert advice on their purchases.

Impact of Global Slowdown and Recovery

Like many industries, the art market in China has also been affected by the global slowdown. Fryns notes that the middle market has dropped out, and some over-speculated young artists are struggling to sell their work. However, there is still significant interest in younger artists. For top artists, the scarcity of their works has led to an increase in prices, with some now higher than