Painting a contemporary art future

China's long history of traditional art has helped propel it into one of the largest art markets in the world. But now the country is looking to promote not just ancient but modern Chinese culture as well by establishing itself in the contemporary art world.

Wang Conghui carefully examines contemporary paintings, checking for originality and style. At Beijing's 798 Art District Wang is surrounded by unlimited potential in a market that she is helping to shape.

Once a gallery owner, Wang now buys contemporary Chinese art for Forever Christie's auction house.

As the one who chooses the artists and the pieces, I have the choices that I can use to present a more qualified or internationalized artist to the global market," said Wang Conghui, dept. head of Chinese contemporary art, Forever Christie's.

At Forever Christie's Wang helped launch The Brave New World, a section of the contemporary sale as a platform to share modern Chinese culture with the world.

"We especially focus on contemporary art that has a traditional Chinese root and how that develops into a more international contemporary interpretation," Wang Conghui said.

Westerners and foreigners can view Chinese culture in a different way. At the same time it creates a challenge for the artists themselves to create a new way or a new language to present Chinese culture.

In only two decades China's contemporary art market has gone from almost nonexistent to a global contender. In 2011 a painting by contemporary artist Wu Guanzhong fetched almost 150 million yuan or 24 million US dollars at auction.

Driving the market has been a wave of government support, from the development of art districts to auction houses. With its contemporary art scene gaining global stature as well as skyrocketing auction prices, China is starting to flex its muscles in the contemporary art market.

But despite this monumental growth, the market still faces obstacles. With contemporary art's late debut in China and a lack of such artwork in museums, evaluating pieces remains a challenge.

Wang, however, is confident her dreams for contemporary art in China will soon become a reality.

"I see quite significant potential for the art market because it is just beginning. It's like a sunrise." Wang Conghui said.

"With people like Wang helping to promote contemporary artwork China is expanding its role in the global art market. Already an industry hub the country is now starting to make its mark in the contemporary world through innovative art that's uniquely Chinese," Neela Eyunni said.