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ABOUT US
Digital Art Fair Asia was created for every demographic that wishes to appreciate, create, and collect digital and NFT art, embracing the use of digital technology in a constantly evolving generation. DAFA 2021 is the first-ever physical art fair in Hong Kong with a focus on the immersive art experience, new media art and NFT Crypto Art where art lovers will see the most exciting artwork by renowned cutting-edge artists.
MEET THE TEAM
Gillian Au Howard | Founder & Fair Director
Gillian Au Howard is the co-director of Digital Art Fair Asia - Gillian started Digital Art Fair in 2020. Accomplished in fine galleries and museum management, Gillian has previously managed private museum collections and international galleries in Hong Kong and London. She has also consulted museum projects in Hong Kong, China and Russia. She also studied Art Business with the Sotheby's Institute of Art in London, With an extensive knowledge of new media art, she is now leading the Digital Art Fair Asia team and curators on creating a brand new art experience combining art and technology such as blockchain, 3D mapping, VR and AR.
Heiman Ng | Head of Business Development
Heiman Ng is a seasoned art specialist with more than 10 years of experience in art consulting, curating and training in Greater China. Prior to setting up Art on Purpose, a local art education consultancy based in Hong Kong, he was the Co-Founder and Director of Collect Art, a multifaceted platform which provides professional art consultancy services such as art advisory, curating, corporate training, branding and communications strategy, etc. Over the years, he has worked with some of the most important art collectors, galleries, institutions and luxury brands in the world, such as Uli Sigg, M K Lau Collection, Art Basel, Hong Kong Maritime Museum, Zhi Art Museum (Chengdu, China), Suning Art Museum (Shanghai, China), Chaumet and Hermès, etc. He had also held various senior management positions in leading international auction houses such as the Course Leader @ Christie’s Education, Asia (2017-2018) and Head of Press @ Bonhams (2014-2016). He is currently teaching as a part-time Lecturer in Global Creative Industries in The University of Hong Kong.
Derry Ainsworth | Creative Director
As well as being our curatorial director, Derry Ainsworth is a full time British photographer and digital artist based in Hong Kong, whose unique work captures the buzzing life of big cities around the world. His work focuses on architecture, cityscape, street and all the happenings within the city.
Ainsworth's work has been featured by numerous publications and TV shows, such as Bloomberg, Viu TV, Timeout, Cathay Pacific, HK Tourism Board and SCMP. He has 7 years of content creation and event agency experience with a huge range of commercial clients in Hong Kong and overseas. Derry's mixed portfolio of skills, including a degree in architecture make him a valuable asset in our team.
Joyce Li | Head of Community
With over a decade of experience promoting arts & culture internationally, Joyce has contributed in areas of creative direction, strategic planning, project management, cultural programming, and curation. Creating innovative projects, Joyce also co-founded an experimental curatorial collective Common Future Lab which aims to accentuate human connections through unique experiences and social experimentation. Joyce has an MA in Arts and Cultural Enterprise at Central Saint Martins and was awarded The Mills Scholarship in 2017 with her thesis postulating on the future role of digital media and public art. Joyce also holds a BSc in Psychology from The University of Nottingham and studied at the Royal College of Arts in Curating Contemporary Art and Design: Theory and Practice.
Herman Rahman | Art & Tech Manager
Herman Rahman is a Singaporean image maker and archivist based between Singapore and Hong Kong. He is represented by AI Gallery, London and is proficient in Traditional and New Media lens-based practices. His interest lies in histories that have been forgotten, investigating and making these gaps visual. His work has been exhibited in numerous shows, most notably at the Tate Modern (UK) and the Singapore Arts House (SG). His work has also appeared in multiple publications around the world, and is part of collections such as The Harvard Art Museums and INCITE Project.
Gwen Soriano | Junior Executive
Born and raised in the Philippines, Gwen Soriano graduated with a BFA degree in Sequential Art in 2020 from Savannah College of Art and Design. Gwen is an illustrator and aspiring muralist who recently participated in the first HKWALLS Youth Mentorship Programme and showcased her first portrait series ‘Sweet Vitriol’ in the NextGenHK group exhibition at Soho House Hong Kong.
Gwen is skilled and well-versed in multiple sectors of the art and design industry, having illustrated for the branding of food and beverage companies, custom fit loungewear, streetwear, children's books, and more.
Novel Kwok | Junior Executive
Novel Kwok is a fresh graduate with a major in Global Creative Industry and minor in Sociology from The University of Hong Kong. Throughout her research experience, she has been trained and received opportunities that allowed her to participate in social-related creative projects. With multiple internship experiences, Novel has gained skill sets in various industries and working environments.
Novel is also a young and passionate performer with over 16 years of background in performing arts, she is also a professional ballet dancer and certified aerial yoga and wheel yoga instructor. She believes that staying curious is the key to go beyond one’s limit. Her curiosity continued to grow through exploring the Art and Technology industry as a core team member in Digital Art Fair.