12/11/2024
10th November 2024, West Bund Art & Design perfectly wrapped in Shanghai, China. Shanghai's two flagship art fairs, Art021 and the West Bund Art & Design Fair, saw a rise in budding collectors interested in younger and more diverse artists. Over 170 international and local galleries got together in Shanghai West Bund Art & Design, which showed a high-end art fair worldwide.
Since 2014, West Bund Art & Design has been dedicated to providing a platform for international and local galleries to showcase high-quality modern and contemporary artworks in Shanghai. the art atmosphere on the West Bund has become increasingly strong. The contemporary art atmosphere on the West Bund has become increasingly strong after the Long Museum completed their West Bund site. More and more museums, galleries and art institutions have begun to move into the West Bund. West Bund Art & Design with a diversity of exhibitions and public programmes at museums and galleries, it makes the city a vital stop on the global art calendar. Many participating collectors stated that West Bund Art & Design has become the primary platform for them to reach out to Western galleries. However, West Bund Art & Design also faced a crisis in 2022, the West Bund Art & Design dramatic early shuttering because of Covid-19 concerns. After a pandemic shut down two years ago, West Bund Art & Design has shown an unexpected recovery, even, increases trend.
The return of domestic and international galleries this year underscores the fair's role as a continuous platform for cultural exchange in contemporary art. Among the key galleries that have consistently participated, Hauser & Wirth, Hidetori Ota, Pace Gallery, ShanghART Gallery, White Space and White Cube have participated in the fair for 11 consecutive years, and international galleries that are important forces guiding the development of the global art market, such as Gagosian Gallery, Almine Rech, Thaddaeus Ropac, Esther Schipper, Galleria Continua and Lehmann Maupin, Lisson Gallery, Nyuggehm Schneider, Timothy Taylor, Sadie Coles HQ, Perrotin and Arario Gallery, which are an important force in guiding the development of the global art market, returned more than 80% of the exhibitors, expressing their confidence in the Chinese art market; CLC Gallery, Ginkgo space, M Art Centre, Shanghai Gallery of Art (SGA), and other quality Chinese galleries, which have been exhibiting continuously for many years, returned more than 70% of the exhibitors. have been exhibiting continuously for many years, and they continue to expand the international tension of the Chinese art market as the backbone of the dialogue between Chinese contemporary art and the international community.
The role of female artists is increasingly being recognised and celebrated within the art market, as exemplified by several presentations at the West Bund Art & Design Fair. A notable feature of the female forum “The She × WOMEN in CENTRAL”, where participants, including screenwriter Qin Wen, curator Zhang Ying, and artist Zhang Ruyi, discussed the unique perspectives and enduring creative vitality of women in their fields.
Several standout presentations highlighted the work of female artists:
Carlos/Ishikawa spotlighted Issy Wood with a dedicated solo booth featuring her large-scale paintings. Concurrently, Wood’s more introspective works are on display at TANK Shanghai, a leading art institution, showcasing her versatility and intimate artistic approach.
Sadie Coles HQ highlighted the work of Nabuqi, an acclaimed Chinese artist born in the 1980s. Her series Pet features sculptures thoughtfully arranged across multiple walls, creating a nuanced and delicate spatial experience that aligns with her exploration of form and environment.
At Pace Gallery, the spotlight was shared by Kiki Smith and Yin Xiuzhen, both significant figures in contemporary art. Smith's monumental collage Sleeping Woman with Peacock centres on the symbiotic relationship between humans and nature, symbolised through peacock feathers enveloping the female figure like a flowing gown. Meanwhile, Yin Xiuzhen's Wall Instrument No. 28 serves as a bridge between the gallery and her expansive solo exhibition Piercing the Sky at PSA (Power Station of Art), where her innovative and reflective installations further explore human connections and memory.
Despite global challenges facing the art market, the 2024 West Bund Art & Design reaffirmed its position as a leading art event in Asia. Its resilience and dynamic programming attracted major international galleries and a growing number of young, diverse collectors, marking a significant recovery and growth post-pandemic. The fair not only reconnected the art world but also underscored Shanghai's status as a cultural hub. With its continued commitment to fostering international and domestic exchange, West Bund Art & Design remains a pivotal force in shaping the future of contemporary art.