PARIS — Celebrating the diverse artistic voices of Asia and its global diaspora, the upcoming edition of Asia NOW is set to return to the French capital this October, bringing together a dynamic mix of new and returning international galleries. Marking its 12th iteration, the fair has firmly established itself as a premier platform for contemporary Asian art, utilizing its prominent Parisian stage to foster deep cross-cultural dialogues and transnational connections.
This year’s edition is anchored by the conceptual framework of "Sentimental Value," exploring a specific form of value that is shaped by what individuals and communities inherit, what they encounter along their paths, and what they consciously choose to carry forward into the future. Rather than functioning purely as a commercial marketplace or a conventional incubator for emerging talent, the 12th edition of Asia NOW aims to craft a space centered on relationships, community building, and enduring cultural continuity.
For more than a decade, the fair has actively worked to transcend the traditional geographic boundaries that have historically defined definitions of Asia. Rooted in a core vision of championing contemporary art originating from Asia and its diasporas, Asia NOW consistently questions the conventional formats of international art fairs. Instead of operating solely as a venue for transactions, it cultivates an environment where fresh perspectives can freely emerge, positioning Asia not merely as a fixed geography, but rather as a flexible and evolving methodology.
To decenter Asia is to actively champion the concept of "Global Asias." The region is neither static nor capable of being understood through a single history, a singular geography, or one dominant cultural lens. Instead, it is continuously constructed through ongoing exchanges, migrations, and complex relationships that constantly reshape its borders and definitions. Over the years, Asia NOW has grown organically within this rich complexity, creating a distinct kind of kinship where diverse artistic practices and multifaceted perspectives can coexist, directly intersect, and meaningfully challenge one another.
By bringing together leading galleries, visionary artists, and innovative curators from across the region—while seamlessly connecting artistic voices from Asia and its diasporas with the broader international art community in Paris and beyond—Asia NOW foregrounds the distinct socio-cultural conditions from which these practices emerge. Through carefully curated programs, the fair continues to create essential spaces for deep, meaningful exchange across diverse cultures. It serves not simply as a transient meeting point between Asia and the rest of the world, but as an active space in which those vital relationships are continuously negotiated, expanded, and reimagined.
Over the course of its history, Asia NOW has successfully nurtured lasting, sustainable connections with galleries, artists, and major cultural institutions—relationships that return year after year, carrying fresh ideas, innovative practices, and unique perspectives with them. For its landmark 12th edition, a strong cohort of returning galleries helps reinforce the depth and continuity of the fair’s expansive international network. These include prominent spaces such as Esther Schipper, with locations in Paris and Berlin; Kaikai Kiki Gallery based in Tokyo; Sabrina Amrani from Madrid; Loy Contemporary out of Singapore; and The Drawing Room representing Manila.
At the same time, the upcoming edition welcomes an exciting roster of galleries participating for the very first time. Among the newcomers are Spazio Nobile, Pao Hui Kao, Did Ng Wing Yin, VER Gallery from Bangkok, Double Square based in Taipei, and Lux Feminae from New York. Engaging directly with the broader international art landscape—and with the echoes of the recent Venice Biennale still strongly resonating across the global art world—Tala from Chicago is set to present a body of never-before-seen works by Jon Cuyson, who notably represented the Philippines at the Venice Biennale. They will be joined by THE Gallery, which will showcase compelling works by artists including Nomin Bold, the celebrated artist featured at the Mongolian Pavilion.
Beyond the main gallery booths, the Asia NOW Public Programme remains a crucial component of the fair, offering a rich schedule of live performances, engaging artist talks, and cross-cultural conversations that extend the fair’s reach far beyond the traditional exhibition walls. This year’s Public Programme will feature key live performances by Wayang Women, Samboleap Tol, and Berlin-based Filipino artist Alvin Collantes. Additionally, the programming will feature a special project curated by Dr. Sara Raza, alongside important contributions from Indonesian curator Alia Swastika, who serves as the Director of the Biennale Jogja Foundation.
Further expanding its physical and conceptual footprint, the fair will once again feature "The Third Space," a dedicated section launched in 2025 that presents ambitious installation works, moving-image pieces, and contemporary visual art as a continuous parcours throughout the historic halls of La Monnaie de Paris. This innovative section pushes the fair out of standard booths and directly into the building’s grand corridors, historic vestibules, and architectural intersectional spaces, allowing galleries to present works in direct, striking dialogue with one of Paris’s most visually striking and culturally significant historic landmarks.
Asia NOW 2026 is scheduled to take place from October 20 through October 24, 2026, at the Monnaie de Paris, preceded by an exclusive, invitation-only preview on October 19. Further details regarding the upcoming edition, participating artists, and comprehensive programming schedules can be found by visiting the official website at asianowparis.com.
