Han Ximin

ALAIN LAMAIGNERE, the founder of the well-known French art fair Artparis, plans to exhibit works by modern French artists at an art exposition during the Fourth China (Shenzhen) International Cultural Industry Fair (ICIF) next year.

Paintings from about 15 top French art galleries will be exhibited at the culture fair in Shenzhen, which will be held from May 16-19.

The art galleries will be selected from the exhibitors attending Artparis, Lamaignere said. "Artparis which will be held in April next year has received applications from more than 100 art galleries, some of whom will be invited to attend the ICIF in Shenzhen in May," he added.

Lamaignere was very much impressed with the youth and dynamism of Shenzhen, which is less than three decades old.

He learned about the ICIF from reports in French newspapers and made his trip to the city to seek cooperation for holding an art exhibition.

"I come and I see and I am confident to have a successful cooperation with Shenzhen in arts," said Lamaignere.

"I hope Artparis will be a platform of long-term cooperation between Chinese and French art exhibitors, collectors and Chinese buyers," said Lamaignere. He said he would arrange for young Chinese artists to have their works shown in international art exhibitions, and promote exchanges between Chinese and French artists.

Lamaignere established Artparis in 1999, as an art fair for gifted young artists. The annual exposition is becoming influential by attracting an increasing number of world-renowned art galleries.