Expanding China's global art presence

Visitors enjoy a day at Yishu8, a non-profit art center in Beijing. Photos by Wang Jing / China Daily

In recent years cultural funds provided by foreign businesses constitute a new force for thrusting Chinese contemporary artists onto the world stage. "The patronage is also a way of promoting the business' culture," Tsekenis explained.

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By organizing exchange activities with foreign artists, sponsoring overseas art exhibitions, and offering financial awards, businesses such as Martell and Montblanc, to name just a few, help the Chinese arts find greater overseas exposure.

Some of businesses even work with local art organizations in China on cross-border art activities. The Fondation d'entreprise Hermès' supporting Yishu 8, a non-profit art center in Beijing is just one example.

This year marks the 50th anniversary of the establishment of Sino-French diplomatic relations, and Yishu 8 plans to send its Yishu 8 China Award winners who are art graduates from the China Central Academy of Fine Arts (CAFA) to Paris so they can create more art and hold solo exhibitions, with the support of the Foundation.

For over 30 years China's art market has made great advancements, but according to a China Culture Daily report from 2013, domestic arts patronage is developing spontaneously while at the same time sponsorhip methods have remained in their infancy.

"Chinese arts sponsors should introduce quality contemporary artists to the world besides focusing on the several Chinese art stars," Tsekenis suggested.