Asian art powers on in Basel

GALLERISTS described the unexpected throngs of Asian art collectors at this year's Art Basel art fair in words that parallel a military invasion.

"They came in large numbers on the first day... and it meant really good business for us," said Theresa Liang, director of Long March Space.

"We have Chinese collectors who follow us to every art fair. We'd see them at Art Basel Hong Kong, and then a month later at Art Basel in Basel, and some of them at Art Basel Miami," noted Rene Meile, co-director of Galerie Urs Meile, a Swiss-based gallery with a branch in Beijing.