As more old art works enter the Taiwanese market, more and more counterfeit art follows. The need for art authentication is growing rapidly. The YIART editor team has invited both Ke Ren-Feng, the executive of Taipei Art Economy Research Centre, and senior collector, Wang Fei-Xiong, to share their thoughts about art authentication and point out potential problems.
Rely primarily on the opinions of experts, use scientific authentication as supplemental knowledge
“Taiwan previously relied on the knowledge and experience of experts, but Taiwan's experts are growing older- the inheritance of their knowledge could pose a challenge,” says Ke Ren-Feng, who is devoted to integrating technical resources of authentication with the previous mechanical system. Ren-Feng points out that the lack of scientific authentication could lead to disputes over forgery. An experienced collector for over 40 years, Wang Fei-Xiong says his authentication abilities come from taking clues from the story of the artist's life- "Family history, where they come from, collectors, political or military history of the artist: knowing this information greatly improves the chances you will correctly identify the work." He says that most essential to authenticating work is experience through viewing many various artworks. The signature and style of the artist migh change through time, so attention to details and brushwork is essential to correctly identifying artworks and verifying authenticity.
Certificate of artwork's condition — scientific report
Because of the high demand for authentication and the increasing value of artworks, collectors in Taiwan often ask private experts or restoration specialists to determine authenticity. However, art restoration is different from authentication, and the two should be considered separately. Ke Ren-Feng says the government should establish art authentication as a specialization and follow with setting up training and certification system. “The system cannot be set up all at once, so we should do it in phases, starting with the scientific report,” she says. The scientific report is just like a certificate of the artwork's health, recording all the details and elements of the artwork. If the work is damaged, the recorded data can be used to restore the art. Wang Fei-Xiong says other information will still be necessary in addition to the recorded data- People will still need to collect information about the work in order to compare, interpret, and distinguish authenticity. "For example, if I encountered a painting from sixty years ago today, I can compare it with a book full of paintings from that same painter that I collected from the same period to provide further evidence of authenticity."
Witnesses and legal protection and mechanisms for artwork authentication
Recently in Taiwan, in order to meet the need for authenticators, the Zhu Mingwen Education Foundation was established to provide annual authentication reports for artworks. Ke Ren-Feng notes that the biggest different between scientific and naked-eye authentication is that beyond just recognizing styles, techniques, and artist attribution, scientific authentication observes all the material conditions of the art work in order to complete a judgment of its authenticity. As the demand for precise authentication increases the technology becomes more acute. Ke Ren-Feng says that if a scientific report is introduced, laboratory access to ISO and TAF certification will increase the chances for precise authentication. She says that although Taiwan's technology and lab instruments are certainly not behind those of other Asian countries, understanding of its concept and structural support for the field of scientific authentication is absent. "Taiwan is too conservative- it considers scientific authentication a 'Pandora's Box' of sorts, the field is afraid to open it." Without a universally consistent process, technology and technical terms, authentication is susceptible to disputes. ”It becomes necessary to have an officially accredited authentication professional and laboratory.” said Ke Ren-Feng This would not only help the court interpret reports, but also protect experts in court facing allegations of negligence or misrepresentations.
Tips for preventing purchases of counterfeit art
For collectors to avoid purchasing counterfeit works, Ke Ren-Feng recommends that collectors can ask for the warranty and scientific report of authentication before purchasing the work. In addition, collectors can also ask for the auction company in advance to identify the work, and verify its authenticity through scientific certification. "Dealing with authentication is almost like dealing with sickness, going to the doctor improves your chances at recovery but there is never a guarantee." In addition to existing gallery support, establishing institutional support, production and research will provide a sound and needed mechanism for the public sector to determine authenticity and opportunities for new authenticators to hone their skills.
“Collectors and authentication techniques should keep abreast of the times,” said Ke Ren-Feng, "We must follow the current of science, and continue to follow the developments of human civilization, but also keep track of academic and art historical improvements. Every collection is a cultural asset, and also a preparation for inheritance.”
