A growing and exciting market opportunity for publishers outside China to explore cultural reach beyond traditional literature, and a reminder that the global publishing market beyond the usual suspects is an untapped goldmine.

No, you’ve not tuned into The Bookseller by mistake. Just that the Shine (China) article that I source this post from had the pun, and it was kinda irresistible. (Most The Bookseller puns are too painful for words.)

Now TNPS is back with a fully functioning laptop and a semblance of internet and electricity, I’m experimenting with some style adjustments, like more sub-headers to break up the text, but the acerbic commentary and disinclination to suffer fools gladly won’t change.

Shanghai International Art Book Fair

With that disclaimer out of the way, let’s head over to China, where the 2024 Shanghai International Art Book Fair, a Shanghai International Art Book Fair, a significant highlight of the ongoing 6th Shanghai International Art Trade Week, opened on Friday at Shanghai Tower.

The fair, running through Sunday, celebrates the global influence of art publishing, featuring 60 leading publishers, museums, galleries, and academic institutions from six countries: China, the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia, Italy, and Qatar.

(And yes, I’m as mystified as you as to why those particular countries should be bedfellows.)

Notable participants include global publishing giants such as ACC Art Books, Thames & Hudson, and Bloomsbury. Renowned institutions like the Palace Museum, Qatar Museums, and the UK’s Victoria and Albert Museum (V&A) are also participating, alongside Shanghai’s own art landmarks, including the Museum of Art Pudong, Power Station of Art, and Yuz Museum.

Thames & Hudson’s Special Anniversary Presentation

In celebration of its 75th anniversary, Thames & Hudson is presenting a special booth featuring collaborative works with the British Museum, V&A, and MoMA. Known for its longstanding partnership with artist David Hockney, Thames & Hudson is offering a special bookmark featuring Hockney’s iconic glasses, recognising his popularity in China.

Daniele Ronchi, Thames & Hudson’s Asian General Manager, emphasised the fair’s significance as a platform for global art book professionals, noting that it’s more than just a gathering of publishers. “The scale of this year’s fair has grown significantly, with more exhibitors from around the world. Also, the venue is great as it’s in the heart of Shanghai and well connected to the other events of the art trade week. So, we expect a great crowd of both art and book lovers,” Ronchi said.

Expanding Presence in China

As part of its growing presence in China, Thames & Hudson recently launched a new book showcase at the China Academy of Art in Hangzhou, in addition to its Hong Kong office. Ronchi highlighted the importance of being closer to the Chinese market and local partners, adding that further collaborations with Chinese institutions are anticipated to bring Chinese art to the world. A great example of two-way traffic that is often sorely lacking in international ventures.

Shanghai Dialogue Forum and Cultural Trade

The 9th Shanghai Dialogue Forum also opened alongside the book fair. This year’s forum brought together industry leaders to discuss cultural trade, with a special focus on the 60th anniversary of China-France diplomatic relations. A dedicated session explored “mutual exchanges and learning” between Chinese and global cultures and the arts.

The forum introduced several key art reports, including the 2023 Report on Chinese Cultural Relics and Artworks Auctions, the 2024 Contemporary Art Market Report, and the 2024 Blue Book on the Cultural Industry of the Shanghai Free Trade Zone.

Establishing Shanghai as a Key Cultural Gateway

In recent years, Pudong has improved services in customs clearance, logistics, and exhibitions, helping to establish Shanghai as a key “gateway” for international relics and artworks. Since 2021, FTZ Art (Shanghai Free Trade Zone International Culture Investment and Development Co) has curated the cultural relics and artworks section at the China International Import Expo (CIIE). This initiative has brought works by artists such as Claude Monet, Marc Chagall, and Yayoi Kusama to the Chinese market. From the fourth to sixth editions of the CIIE, 39 exhibitors participated in this section, resulting in the sale of 136 cultural relics and artworks with a total transaction value of 1.835 billion yuan ($256.7 million).

All of which indicate a growing and exciting market opportunity for publishers outside China to explore cultural reach beyond traditional literature, and a reminder that the global publishing market beyond the usual suspects is an untapped goldmine.

This post first appeared in the TNPS LinkedIn newsletter.