Asia Art Weekly News Bulletin – ISSUE 8 Week of 31 March 2025
(1) Ghibli-inspired viral feature drives record ChatGPT usage
The recent spike in users creating Ghibli-style AI art with ChatGPT’s image-generation tool has caused server strain and raised copyright concerns, while OpenAI reports record engagement despite facing technical glitches.
(2) Art Basel Hong Kong 2025 concluded, celebrating the city’s thriving art ecosystem and reaffirming its role as the premier fair in Asia
Art Basel Hong Kong 2025 concluded successfully, attracting 91,000 attendees, showcasing 240 galleries, and highlighting significant sales.
(3) NUS Singapore History Prize doubles to S$100,000, now open to arts and multimedia
The NUS Singapore History Prize has doubled to S$100,000 and expanded to include arts and multimedia submissions, recognising diverse works that explore Singapore’s history.
(4) Indian mural that spent decades on Norwegian hospital wall sells for record $13.8m
MF Husain’s Untitled (Gram Yatra), a mural that spent decades in a Norwegian hospital, sold for a record $13.8 million at Christie’s, marking a significant milestone for Indian art.
(1) Ghibli-inspired viral feature drives record ChatGPT usage
(Photo Credit: X/ @MDurbar, Ghiblified image of the “Lord of the Rings”)
The recent trend of creating Ghibli-style AI art using ChatGPT’s image-generation tool has led to a significant increase in users, causing server strain and temporary limitations on the feature. This surge has attracted global attention, with users sharing images inspired by Studio Ghibli’s iconic animation style, founded by Hayao Miyazaki.
Last week, average weekly active users for ChatGPT surpassed 150 million for the first time this year. OpenAI’s CEO, Sam Altman, noted a rapid influx of users, highlighting the app’s record-breaking engagement following updates to its GPT-4o model, which enhanced image generation capabilities. Despite this success, the chatbot has faced glitches and outages due to the high traffic volume.
The surge in popularity has raised concerns about copyright violations regarding AI‑generated images mimicking Ghibli’s style. Legal experts point out that copyright law typically protects specific expressions rather than overall artistic styles. Additionally, Miyazaki’s past comments on AI art resurfaced, reiterating his disapproval of incorporating such technology into artistic work.
News Source: https://www.businesstimes.com.sg/lifestyle/ghibli-inspired-viral-feature-drives-record-chatgpt-usage
(2) Art Basel Hong Kong 2025 concluded, celebrating the city’s thriving art ecosystem and reaffirming its role as the premier fair in Asia
(Photo Credit: Art Basel)
Art Basel Hong Kong 2025 concluded, showcasing the city’s vibrant art scene and solidifying its status as Asia’s leading art fair. This year’s event featured 240 galleries from 42 countries, attracting an impressive total of 91,000 attendees, including both VIPs and the general public. Angelle Siyang-Le, the fair’s director, highlighted the event’s commitment to nurturing Asia’s art ecosystem and fostering new creative narratives.
The fair welcomed prominent collectors and art patrons from over 70 countries, alongside representatives from renowned museums and foundations, further emphasising its role in connecting the global art community.
Exhibitors reported robust sales across various market segments, with notable works by artists such as Yayoi Kusama and Louise Bourgeois finding homes in prestigious collections. The newly established MGM Discoveries Art Prize was awarded to emerging artist Shin Min for her impactful installation, highlighting the fair’s dedication to supporting new talent and inspiring future artistic endeavours.
News Source: https://www.artbasel.com/stories/art-basel-hong-kong-2025-concluded-today–celebrating-the-city-s-thriving-art-ecosystem-and-reaffirming-its-role-as-the-premier-fair-in-asia
(3) NUS Singapore History Prize doubles to S$100,000, now open to arts and multimedia
(Photo Credit: Lianhe Zaobao File)
The NUS Singapore History Prize, the largest of its kind in the country, has increased its award amount from S$50,000 to S$100,000 and expanded its eligibility to include arts and multimedia, as announced by the National University of Singapore’s Department of History on 1 April 2025.
Under the new format, the prize will alternate between recognising books and other art forms, including theatre, film, documentaries, and visual arts. This change seeks to embrace diverse mediums that reflect Singapore’s rich historical narrative. The initiative aims to foster a broader appreciation of the nation’s past through accessible and modern platforms.
The upcoming 2027 NUS Singapore History Prize for Arts and Multimedia is open for submissions in English or translated works, with no production date limits, as long as they address Singaporean history.
News Source: https://www.straitstimes.com/life/arts/nus-history-prize-doubles-to-100000-now-open-to-arts-and-multimedia
(4) Indian mural that spent decades on Norwegian hospital wall sells for record $13.8m
(Photo Credit: Christie’s)
A rediscovered oil-on-canvas masterpiece by Indian painter MF Husain, titled Untitled (Gram Yatra), has set a new record for Indian art by selling for $13.8 million (£10.6 million) at a Christie’s auction in New York, surpassing the previous high of $7.4 million (£5.7 million) for Amrita Sher-Gil’s The Story Teller. This sprawling 14-foot mural, which reflects Husain’s distinctive blend of Indian folk traditions and modernist influences, had quietly adorned the walls of a Norwegian hospital for nearly five decades before being recognised for its significance.
Painted in 1954, Gram Yatra showcases 13 vignettes of Indian village life, using vibrant tones to depict everyday scenes and the farming roots of Indian society. The painting exemplifies Husain’s engagement with India’s cultural fabric and his modified cubist style, influenced by his travels, including a notable trip to China. According to art experts, this work is seen as a defining piece of modern South Asian art.
The painting’s journey began when it was purchased in 1954 for just $295 by Ukrainian doctor Leon Elias Volodarsky during a WHO mission in India. After being displayed at Oslo University Hospital for decades, it was brought to the attention of Christie’s in 2013, leading to its global exhibitions and the record-breaking sale, which is expected to enhance the value of Husain’s overall body of work.
News Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cyvedl95l79o
