The world's biggest modern and contemporary art show is attracting growing numbers of Asian galleries and collectors as it prepares for its first Asian edition in Hong Kong next year.
Some 40 collectors from the mainland were seen at Art Basel after it opened to VIPs last week, and collectors from Hong Kong, Taiwan and Southeast Asia are reported to have bought works from both Asian and Western dealers, despite the gloomy economic climate.
Art Basel declined to provide statistics on the increase in VIPs from Asia, but co-director Marc Spiegler confirmed that Asian collectors' visits to the Swiss fair had been on the rise.
'The majority of the collectors still come from Europe and America, but collectors from new markets like Asia and Russia are contributing quite a lot compared to the past,' he said.
The number of Asian galleries exhibiting has also risen, from 12 in 2007 to 22 this year, including mainland galleries Long March Space, Boers-Li Gallery, Vitamin Creative Space and ShanghART.
Notable mainland collectors spotted at the fair - which opened in the Messe Basel fairground last Tuesday and ended on Sunday - included Qiao Zhibing and Yang Bin, while top painter Zeng Fanzhi and his entourage were also seen.