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Part 1 – Knowing what’s what

Whether it be as a memento of your time here, to shower distant relatives with poignant gifts, or to beautify the bare walls of your apartment, buying artwork in China may seem like a relatively easy task. Take a walk through any local market, shopping street or scenic spot and you'll come across piles of scrolls, paper-cuttings and calligraphy that can easily be bartered down to a reasonable price: think images of mountain peaks, identical bamboo stems, caricature-esque tigers, or an old Chinese sage twirling his wispy facial hair around his fingers.

If you're looking for something to make your place feel a bit more lived in, with little effect on your bank balance, perhaps these reproductions will suffice. However, if you're looking for something more original, your search can quickly turn into a frustrating and fruitless trawl through stacks of identically repugnant laser-printed reproductions claiming to be 'original' artwork. So, how can you get your hands on a piece of work that is 'original', 'authentic' and worth spending a bit more cash on? Something that won't meet the derisive stares of friends and family; a successful purchase of another factory produced 'masterpiece'?

This article will look at the spectre of counterfeit art in China, its far-reaching influence, and offer some tips for how to avoid falling for a fake. While the abundance of inauthentic antiques on the market is overwhelming, a quick trawl of eBay or Google will show that it is illegal to export antiques from mainland China, Hong Kong and Taiwan. As such, this article is concerned primarily with purchasing artworks as opposed to antiques.

One obstacle to overcome when distinguishing authentic from inauthentic art lies in understanding the numerous types and terms for 'fake' art. As mentioned above, there are the more obvious mechanically printed reproductions (复制品 fuzhipin), but there are also a number of other terms associated with 'fake' or 'counterfeit' work in the Chinese art market.

1) Linmo 临摹

Throughout art history there is a long tradition of copying artwork in order to develop technical skills, or express admiration for a master’s style. This type of work is known as 临摹 (linmo) in China, which translates to 'copy', specifically relating to a model of calligraphy or painting. Considered by some to be a more honest 'fake', it generally avoids being associated with the term forgery. In China and around the world, this practice continues and is often considered homage to accomplished artists of the past. Without an encyclopaedic knowledge of Chinese art and artists, it would be extremely difficult to distinguish a good quality linmo from the real thing, and it's up to you whether or not you want to try. While some schools in the West have dropped this practice in favour of developing conceptualism and individuality as an artist, some schools stick by the apprenticeship tradition, handed down from the days when art giants would train teams of apprentices to copy, practice and hone their skills in the style of their own work.

2) Fangzaopin 仿造品

While linmo is by no means exclusive to China, the style has been encouraged and extended here to develop a thriving trade based on the technical ability of workers to copy masterpieces in large production runs. These hand-made art forgeries are known as 仿造品 (fangzaopin), translating to 'imitation'. This is perhaps China's most prolific and economically important fake.

Near Shenzhen, in Dafencun (大芬村), and in industrial areas across China, large factories teem with workers specially trained to exist somewhere between artist and production-line worker. They have mastered the mimicry of Munch's The Scream and can paint a perfect pastiche of Picasso. Sadly, through their expertise, they are doomed to repeat the same image, day in and day out, to feed the insatiable appetite of the international imitation art market. Like it or not, China has developed an incredible talent for mimicking the masters, and with the amount of revenue it brings in, they won't be ceasing production any time soon. Contrary to popular belief, Chinese copyright law is in accordance with International copyright treaties, and as such, authors automatically gain rights to the work they produce, and copyright regulations extend to 50 years after their death (slightly shorter than the 70 years granted by UK law). One exception to this is cinematographic works, for which copyright protection expires 50 years after publication.

In reality, however, copyright issues are largely overlooked here, as is evident from the proliferation of knock-off DVD's and online video-streaming sites offering the latest Hollywood blockbusters. Rest assured, it's fairly easy to spot a fangzaopin or imitation artwork in the shops... Unless you're foolish enough to believe you can buy an original Mona Lisa, Waterlilies or Van Gogh Self Portrait for a few hundred kuai! Avoid them if you find yourself overcome with grief about ignored copyright laws, but feel free to invest if you fancy constructing a shrine to the titans of art history in your living room.

3) Yanpin 赝品

Linmo or fangzaopin can to some extent be excused as genuine means for artists to hone their skills, or as a legal means for specially trained painters to make a living. However, in the eyes of artists, collectors and legitimate art dealers alike, this final breed of art fake is the most heinous. Known as yanpin (赝品), directly translating as 'art forgery', this is work that is either produced or sold with the intention of deceiving the buyer. Whether it be an 'original Qing Dynasty portrait' from Pingyao, available to buy in several neighbouring Hong Kong 'antique' stalls, or a dubious copy of a Xu Beihong painting, being passed off as an original. When you're in the market for art, you will no doubt come across dealers who are adamant that theirs is the original, and, of course, will be happy to slap on a large price tag so as not to raise suspicion.

An understanding of these terms and degrees of 'fake' art should allow you to discern your own proclivity towards buying artwork. Can you live with a glorified xerox copy of a generic Chinese landscape, expertly machine printed onto a 'traditional' scroll? If so, feel free to stroll through the nearest tourist tat market and grab yourself a bargain. Are you content to dress your apartment walls with a potentially mass-produced, but hand-made approximation of an old master; the work of an accomplished (at least technically) forger? Then invest some time in local art shops, examining paintings and haggling hard: scour the surface for brushstrokes, skip stalls that have 3001 copies of the exact same image, and, in order not to get ripped off, express that you are in the market for a linmo. If, however, you are looking for a truly original artwork, the elusive yuanzuohua (原作画), read on, for part 2 of How to Buy an Authentic Artwork.

Part 2 - Identifying fakes

So, you're looking to buy an authentic artwork in China and you've discovered the various types of fakes available. You've decided you won't be happy with a heartlessly manufactured reproduction (fuzhipin), or a hand-made copy of a masterpiece (linmo or fangzaopin) or a ruthlessly deceptive forgery (yanpin)... What now? You realise that the so-called 'Certificate of Authenticity' offered by many dealers is often a forgery in itself, hastily photoshopped and printed off by anyone looking to up the value of their goods. Now you're determined to find that special something to hang on the walls of your flat; to prove your art savvy by finding something fresh and original; to uncover an artwork imbued with inspiration, experimentation and individualism. Read on, for 5 tips on how to identify fakes, support the artist community and do without the counterfeit creations for which China is so famed.

1) Examine the work carefully

If it's claiming to be old, it should look old. Not just on the front, but on the back, behind the frame, all over! Unfortunately this alone is not enough in the art market of today's China. There is an enormously lucrative industry specialising in reproducing art and antiques in China, and the techniques invested in making things look old have become so convincing that even industry experts can be baffled.

However, there are a few pointers that can prevent you from succumbing to the will of the more obviously dishonest dealers. Look for signs of degradation in the work, and ask about any discrepancies. Particularly with older paintings, it's common for damage to have occurred over the years. Check for signs of artificial ageing: is the wear and tear too uniform? Too obviously reproduced by a human hand or machine? Has the canvas or paper been dyed to look old? Similar to the creative tea-dying techniques employed by school children around the world for their history homework. Does the age of the frame match the painting? If not, why not? Don't be afraid to quiz the seller, and be prepared and sceptical of fictitious replies. Check the back of the work if possible, sometimes a paper covering is plastered over the back to conceal marks made during production which might give away the work as a fake.

2) Check out the competition

Make sure you investigate surrounding galleries, shops and art dealers before committing to a buy. In many places, particularly tourist areas, you'll find that the shops are all selling exactly the same images, in which case it's obviously not an original. Besides, the more stuff you see, the more you'll know about what's worth a closer look, how much you should expect to pay and what lines the dealers recurrently use to try and sell a painting. If the price seems too good, it probably is, so be prepared to pay a bit extra for the privilege of authenticity.

Take a look at how the shop is set out: When a shop has a genuine interest in the artists it deals in, it will usually sort the work by artist as opposed to price. Although it may seem simplistic, it can be a quick and easy way to sift out the shops that specialise in supplying fakes or cheap reproductions for the clueless tourist market.

3) Research and prices

Once you've found a painting you like, don't splash the cash too quickly. Ask for information on the artist and their oeuvre: Respectable dealers and galleries should be eager to aid potential buyers in their artistic interests and ready to promote the artists they exhibit. Take some time to research the artist, the painting, and potentially even the dealer’s name. With the world wide web at your fingertips, it would be a shame not to do even a cursory Google search to discover any conspicuous errors or oversights in what you're being sold. Check out www.artcyclopedia.com for information on more well-known artists, or www.artron.net (English language site – http://en.artron.net).

As far as pricing is concerned, for artworks from reputable artists or commercial galleries in M50 in Shanghai or 798 District in Beijing, the prices will start in the thousands. For lesser known artists’ work, in smaller cities and areas, you can pick up an original piece for a few hundred RMB (particularly in the style of traditional Chinese painting). For a commissioned artwork from an art student as opposed to a practising artist, the price will be dependant on numerous factors (size, medium, time, skill level, how close they are to graduating, and to some extent how whimsical the artist is), and the price will vary accordingly, going from several hundred to several thousand RMB. It is largely down to the buyer to decide how much they are willing to spend, and then find a suitable artist to work with at that price.

4) Venture to one of China's artist enclaves

While it's possible to find local artists working all over China, you may want to think about making a trip to one of China's larger artist enclaves. Although some consider them to be too commercially driven in recent years, they are still a great place to find contemporary artists, often still working in studios nearby. Make a trip to Beijing's 798 District, visit Shanghai's M50 or seek out numerous galleries in Hong Kong via the website www.hongkonggalleries.org. These areas are teeming with commercial galleries for you to peruse potential buys. If you can afford the sometimes hefty price tag accompanying these now prolifically commercial art areas, you may find exactly what you're looking for. Whilst there, keep your ears and eyes open for any upcoming exhibition openings or private views. Attending could be an invaluable opportunity to hobnob with art scene experts, gain information on acquiring authentic originals and find out more about the contemporary art scene in China.

5) Commission an artwork

Last, but by no means least, think about commissioning your own artwork; an exciting, but potentially risky venture which could help support emerging artists in their endeavours. This may seem like a monster challenge, but with a little investigation and determination you could end up with that perfectly personal painting you've always wanted.

Some of the best places to inquire about commissioning an artwork, in terms of price and wealth of choice, are local art schools. Art students have similarities no matter where you are in the world: struggling to make ends meet, honing their skills on a daily basis, eager to put their practice to work and earn some much-needed funds for the next project (or the next bottle of wine to feed the creative process).

So, head to your local arts school, speak to some students on campus, peruse the work at one of their regular student exhibitions and gather contact information to begin enquiries about commissioning a piece. While you might get a better deal from a student than an established artist, bear in mind that it does take considerable time, training and effort to undertake a commissioned piece, so don't be too stingy when it comes to agreeing on a price.

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