Ai Weiwei, Wang Family Ancestral Hall. Courtesy of Galleria Continua.
The Chinese art market has always been a source of fascination for collectors and art lovers alike. The recent artnet CAA Report revealed that the Chinese auction market has shown signs of slowing down, but the recent sale of a Tintin drawing by Hergé for $1.2 million at Artcurial’s first Hong Kong auction in October suggests that China still has a significant role to play in the art market. Beijing is without a doubt one of the most exciting cities in mainland China—full of female Chinese curators that you need to know—with many galleries located in the bustling Chaoyang District displaying countless emerging and established artists. But don’t worry about having to navigate all the art that Beijing has to offer, because we’ve put together a guide of what’s unmissable in this metropolitan gallery scene.
Head to Galleria Continua to see the latest from the legendary Ai Weiwei—with no Legos this time around. This is the artist’s very first solo exhibition in his home country, and for the occasion he has brought the ancient Ming age temple Wang Jiaci back to life. The temple has been disassembled into more than 1,500 pieces and painstakingly rebuilt in cooperation with the Tang Contemporary Art Center, so don’t miss this stunning visit from China’s past. Continue to aye gallery and admire works by Wang Yabin, whose moody paintings capture the artist’s mysterious inner world. For more contemporary Chinese painting in completely different vein, head to Hadrien de Montferrand Gallery for over 30 works by Hao Shiming. Representing the new contemporary ink movement, Hao explores the links between tradition, modernity, and identity.
Over at Chambers Fine Art, artist Taca Sui presents his second solo exhibition, inspired by the Ching dynasty imperial bureaucrat Huang Yi. Taca examines the stone steles that have played a crucial role in the history of China: traveling to locations described in Huang’s diaries written over 200 years ago, Taca makes photographs, collages, and other work documenting traces of the past as preserved in these monumental carvings. At Soka Art Center, inspired by the work of the Zong Baihua, the group exhibition “Moving the World: Seeking Beauty” presents the work of IIDA Kiriko, Tao Fa, and Dong Lin, each offering their perspectives on the transformative effect of beauty.
So if you’re traveling to Art Tapei 2015, make sure to also stop in Beijing, and don’t miss this selection of exciting artists. With so much art on display, there’s surely something for everyone!
Exhibition: “Ai Weiwei”
When: June 6–December 6, 2015
Where: Galleria Continua, 2 Jiuxianqiao Rd, Dashanzi, 798 Art District, Chaoyang District, Beijing, China
Ai Weiwei, Dragon Lantern and Bench. Courtesy of Galleria Continua.
Exhibition: “Hao Shiming: Focus”
When: September 2– November 3, 2015
Where: Hadrien de Montferrand Gallery, 798 Art District, No 4 Jiuxianqiao Lu, Chaoyang District, Beijing, China
Hao Shiming, Book of Jin 201503 (detail) (2015). Courtesy of Hadrien de Montferrand Gallery.
Exhibition: “Taca Sui: Steles—Huang Yi Project”
When: September 5–November 1, 2015
Where: Chambers Fine Art, Red No.1-D, Caochangdi, Chaoyang District, Beijing, China
Taca Sui, Tomb of Prince Lu #1 (2015). Courtesy of Chambers Fine Art.
Exhibition: “THANK YOU! HAVE A NICE DAY!”
When: September 11–November 8, 2015
Where: Telescope, 10 CaoChangDi, Beijing, China
Yang Jian, Have a Nice Day. Courtesy of Telescope.
Exhibition: “Moving the World: Seeking Beauty”
When: September 12–November 1, 2015
Where: Soka Art Center, 798 Art District, No.2 Jiuxianqiao Road, Chaoyang District, Beijing, China
IIda Kiriko, Flower (2015). Courtesy of Soka Art Center.
Exhibition: “Colors of China”
When: September 19–November 29, 2015
Where: Asia Art Center, 100015 No.2, Jiuxianqiao Rd., Dashanzi 798 Art District, Chaoyang District, Beijing, China
Sang Huoyao, Untitled Series 2015 (2015). Courtesy of Asia Art Center.
Exhibition: “Cristobal Gabarron’s sculpture”
When: October 10–December 20, 2015
Where: Today Art Museum of Beijing, Building 4, Pingod Community, No.32 Baiziwan Road, Chaoyang District, Beijing, China
Cristobal Gabarron, the Watch Tower (2007–2008). Courtesy of Today Art Museum of Beijing.
Exhibition: “Editing the Spectacle: the Individual and Working Methods Post-Mediatization”
When: October 17–November 16, 2015
Where: Hive Center for Contemporary Art, E06, 798 Art Zone, No.4 Jiuxianqiao Rd, Chaoyang District, Beijing, China
Courtesy of Hive Center for Contemporary Art.
Exhibition: “Wang Yabin: Guest From Afar”
When: October 18—December 15, 2015
Where: aye gallery, Dong Bin He Road, An Ding men, Dongcheng District, Beijing, China
Wang Yabin, The Mushroom (2) (2015). Courtesy of aye gallery.
Exhibition: “Live Remnants”
When: October 27–December 6, 2015
Where: Magician Space, 798 East Road, 798 Art Zone, 2 Jiuxianqiao Road, Chaoyang District, Beijing, China
Liu Chang. Courtesy of Magician Space.
Exhibition: “Full of Peril and Weirdness: Painting as a Universalism”
When: October 29–January 25, 2016
Where: M WOODS, D-06, 798 Art Zone, No. 2 Jiuxianqiao Road, Beijing, China
Qiu Xiaofei. Courtesy of M WOODS.
Exhibition: “Asylum of The Birds–Solo Show of Roger Ballen”
When: October 31, 2015–November 31, 2015
Where: aura gallery, 798 East Street no.2 Jiuxianqiao Rd., Chaoyang District, Beijing, China
Roger Ballen. Courtesy of aura gallery.