Kiang Malingue Gallery, based in Hong Kong, Broadens Presence to New York, Pursuing Goals of Encouraging Discussions and Cultural Exchange.
Hong Kong's esteemed Kiang Malingue gallery will debut a new commercial space in New York City's Chinatown district this week. With a penchant for nurturing both emerging and acclaimed Asian artists, Kiang Malingue has amassed a reputation as a gallery to watch over the past 15 years. Its roster boasts two artists who have previously represented their native countries, Hong Kong's Ellen Pau and Singapore's Ho Tzu Nyen, both of whom have exhibited at the Venice Biennale.
Co-founders Edouard Malingue and Lorraine Kiang attribute the gallery's expansion to New York as part of a broader strategy that capitalizes on the growing interest in Asian and Asian diaspora artists. By setting up shop in Chinatown, they aim to connect with a burgeoning community of young Asian American collectors.
"We wanted to have a foot in the West," said Malingue, "to continue promoting our program and create more dialogue between the West and Hong Kong." Kiang echoed this sentiment, stating that the gallery's mission has always been one of growth and development, and their move to New York presents an opportunity to witness its evolution elsewhere.
The gallery's inaugural exhibition will feature new work by Japanese artist Hiroka Yamashita, marking her New York solo debut. For Yamashita, the show serves as a homecoming of sorts, as she completed her MFA at Rutgers University in 2019 and has not returned to the city since.
Recently, Chinese galleries have been increasing their presence in New York, mirroring a broader trend of more wealthy Chinese individuals relocating to the United States. Alisan Fine Arts, a long-established Hong Kong gallery, opened a location on the Upper East Side last year, and Shanghai-based gallery Bank launched its own New York outpost earlier this year.
Kiang Malingue hopes to foster a sense of community among collectors and those within the Asian diaspora seeking to reconnect with their cultural roots. "It's like Asians wanting Asian food in New York," said Kiang, "the collectors we've already met in the city are eager to learn more when we talk about artists from Hong Kong, Greater China, and Southeast Asia."
The gallery's growth coincides with a contracting global art market and heightened geopolitical tensions between the United States and China, exacerbated by a tariff war. However, Malingue remains optimistic about the potential for dialogue between New York and Hong Kong despite the challenges.
While the tariffs haven't yet disrupted Kiang Malingue's operations, Malingue acknowledged their potential impact in the future. To mitigate this, the gallery considers launching a residency program to invite artists to live and create in New York for extended periods if tariffs on Hong Kong artists become prohibitively high.
Institutional interest in Asian art has persisted despite the current state of US-China relations. "US institutions are still extremely engaged with what's happening around the world," said Malingue, "they remain open, curious, supportive."
As Kiang Malingue navigates this new market during a market downturn, concerns over rising tariffs, and the complexities of forging connections with a diverse audience, they remain steadfast in their commitment to supporting emerging Asian artists and fostering community.
Acknowledging the growth in interest in understanding Asian artists and Asian art, Kiang Malingue intends to become one hub for that exploration. "There aren't enough galleries that truly spend the time to delve into this subject matter," said Kiang. “Opening in New York gives us the opportunity to see how it can evolve elsewhere.” The gallery plans to mount three to four exhibitions in its first year before refining their approach for the following year, rooted in both Hong Kong and New York contexts.
- Kiang Malingue gallery, known for nurturing Asian artists, is debuting a new space in New York City's Chinatown district.
- The gallery aims to connect with a community of young Asian American collectors by setting up shop in Chinatown.
- The gallery's inaugural exhibition will showcase new work by Japanese artist Hiroka Yamashita, marking her New York solo debut.
- Chinese galleries, including Alisan Fine Arts and Shanghai-based Bank, have increased their presence in New York, reflecting a trend of more wealthy Chinese individuals relocating to the United States.
- Kiang Malingue hopes to foster a sense of community among collectors and those within the Asian diaspora seeking to connect with their cultural roots.
- A contracting global art market, heightened geopolitical tensions, and tariffs pose challenges for Kiang Malingue, but they remain optimistic about dialogue between New York and Hong Kong.
- Kiang Malingue is considering launching a residency program to invite artists to New York if tariffs on Hong Kong artists become too high.
- Despite the complexities of expanding during a market downturn and rising tariffs, Kiang Malingue intends to become a hub for exploring Asian art, as interest in understanding Asian artists continues to grow.
