11/11/2024
It is both a remarkable and challenging time for the global art market. Despite the turbulence of recent years, the passion for art remains steadfast, with an increasing appetite for aesthetics and innovation. As one of the world’s leading metropolises, Shanghai, with its blend of Eastern heritage and Western sophistication, offers a compelling stage for exploring art’s infinite possibilities.
From November 7th to 10th, 2024, ART021 Shanghai returned to the iconic Shanghai Exhibition Centre for its 12th edition. This year marks a significant milestone—the 10th anniversary of the fair at this historic venue. Featuring 131 galleries from 20 countries and regions, including 30 first-time exhibitors, ART021 continues to embody freshness, diversity, and affordability. Its commitment to maintaining a 20% influx of new participants year after year underscores its position as a vital platform for contemporary art in Asia. Beyond gallery exhibitions, collaborations with non-profit organisations, artist studios, and auction houses further highlight ART021’s evolving role as a multidimensional art ecosystem.
The Main Galleries section, the cornerstone of ART021, brought together an impressive array of works, from museum-quality masterpieces to cutting-edge contemporary practices. International blue-chip galleries underscored their focus on the Asian market, presenting thoughtfully curated exhibitions that foster dialogue between global and local perspectives.
White Cube’s dual presentation of Lee Jin Woo and Bram Bogart was a standout. Lee’s delicate interplay of Hanji (Korean mulberry paper) and charcoal invoked a meditative stillness, while Bogart’s dynamic use of thick pigments exuded raw energy, turning abstraction into a tactile experience. Together, their works bridged Eastern and Western traditions, expanding the boundaries of material exploration in painting.
Meanwhile, David Zwirner offered a group exhibition featuring luminaries like Merrill Wagner and Scott Kahn. These artists’ works not only represent pivotal directions in contemporary art but also reflect a deeply humanistic engagement with cultural and personal memory. This focus on storytelling through curation set a resonant tone for the fair.
Returning after a two-year hiatus, the DETOUR section, themed “Asia and Its Diaspora” and curated by Danielle Shang, focused on critical narratives and diverse issues explored by artists from Asian and diasporic backgrounds. Participating galleries included the Gaotai Gallery, HUA International, Tabula Rasa, Lawrie Shabibi, Micki Meng, and Sans titre. Meanwhile, the effort to foreground the Global South as a key focal point, first introduced at the inaugural ART021 HONG KONG, continued in this year’s ART021 Shanghai. This emphasis further showcased the cultural histories and artistic perspectives of artists from the Global South. The discussions surrounding diversions and the Global South suggest an intriguing strategy and perspective for entering new artistic territories.
The APPROACH section showcased 20 emerging galleries, with over half making their ART021 debut. Known for championing solo projects and curated group exhibitions, this section remains a launchpad for young talent, many of whom have gone on to establish themselves in the Main Galleries.
The BEYOND section ventured outside the fair’s traditional boundaries, presenting installations in collaboration with public spaces. Among the highlights was Oscar Wang’s Journey, an installation that transformed modular suspended floors into pixelated landscapes, blending the architectural heritage of Suhe HAUS with natural motifs. This integration of art, architecture, and environment reflected ART021’s commitment to expanding the possibilities of contemporary art.
After a decade of continuous evolution, ART021 has transitioned from a transactional art fair to a multidimensional platform for cultural exchange and critical dialogue. This transformation is reflected in everything from its booth layouts and thematic sections to its collaborations with global and local institutions. By fostering connections between East and West, ART021 has not only cemented its role as a pivotal hub in the Asia-Pacific art scene but also provided a model for how art fairs can adapt to and shape the global art ecosystem.
This year’s ART021 also unfolded against the backdrop of a shifting art market. International galleries have increasingly turned their attention to Asia, recognising the region’s growing cultural and economic influence. At the same time, the rise of local galleries and artists signals a more confident and mature Asian art market, poised to redefine its role in the global context.
As globalisation intertwines with local narratives, ART021 stands as both a witness and catalyst. Its success this year underscores the resilience of Shanghai’s art scene and its potential to inspire the broader art world. With a decade behind it, ART021 continues to look forward, shaping a future where artistic innovation and cultural dialogue thrive hand in hand.