Art adviser investigating after Hong Kong lawsuit says US$1 million painting is fake
South Korean Choi Eun-ha filed lawsuit in Hong Kong after auction house told her painting by renowned Korean artist Lee Ufan was forgery
A Britain-based art adviser has said he is investigating claims by a South Korean woman that a painting she bought from him for US$920,000 was fake after she demanded compensation in a lawsuit filed in Hong Kong.
Plaintiff Choi Eun-ha said she bought Dialogue, a 2014 canvas painting by renowned Korean artist Lee Ufan, from exhibition curator Lawrence Van Hagen.
Van Hagen, founder of independent advisory service LVH Art, has been described by some art magazines as “highly knowledgeable” about fine arts. He previously launched his “What’s Up” exhibition in Hong Kong, London and New York.
He told the Post this month that he and his legal team had been investigating Choi’s allegations.
“Our position in respect of Ms Choi’s claim is that the painting is authentic,” he said.
According to the court document which emerged in September, Van Hagen was the director of Smart Fine Art Asia, an art trading business registered in Hong Kong.
Choi said she met the art collector at Hong Kong’s Art Basel in March 2023, where he held the “What’s Up” show. The two reconnected after Van Hagen brought the show to Seoul in September and showcased works from renowned artists.
