An annual international fine arts fair in Taipei City has closed with total sales

volume reaching NT$750 million (US$23.5 million), the highest record since the event was launched in 1992, according to an event organizer Tuesday.

Many artwork at Art Taipei 2008 were sold at nearly NT$10 million per piece, including three sculptures by the late Taiwanese sculptor Yang Ying-feng, and a neo-realistic painting by Chinese artist Zhong Bial, according to York Hsiao, chairman of the Art Galleries Association R.O.C., which co-organized the event with the Cabinet level Council of Cultural Affairs (CCA). The highest price went to an oil painting by Taiwanese artist Huang Ming-che, which sold at NT$24 million, Hsiao said.

The fair was held at the Taipei World Trade Center from Aug. 29-Sept. 2. A total of 63 domestic and 48 foreign art galleries participated, while more than 72,000 people visited the fair, according to CCA Minister Huang Pi-twan.