ART Shenzhen 2021 was held at the Shenzhen Convention and Exhibition Center in Futian District. Ye Jianqiang, secretary-general of the Organizing Committee of Art Shenzhen, said this year’s Art Shenzhen will have more galleries and institutions, more abundant sections and more professional content, bringing the audience and art enthusiasts a contemporary art feast.
A total of 72 top galleries and professional art institutions from 28 cities in 12 countries exhibit contemporary artworks such as paintings, sculptures, decorations, photographs and videos to showcase the charm of diversified art. The exhibition consists of several sections, including the main gallery section, Hi21 Young Art Fair, public art projects, academic forums and the newly set sections — “multi-dimensional space” and other relevant sections.
Visitors look at exhibits at Art Shenzhen 2021, which opened at the Shenzhen Convention and Exhibition Center in Futian District. Photos by Sun Yuchen
The exhibition covers an area of almost 9,000 square meters, making it Art Shenzhen’s largest event in scale since it started in 2013.
Art Shenzhen was one of the key projects of the China (Shenzhen) International Cultural Industries Fair, which transformed into a pure contemporary art fair in 2015, building a Shenzhen-based international trading platform targeting contemporary artworks.
Art Shenzhen has rapidly developed from a small but exquisite exhibition into an important art fair in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area and in the country, thanks to its precise observations on the art market. Art Shenzhen has integrated resources from various industrial chains of contemporary art fairs.
A foreign exhibitor (R) introduces an artwork to visitors at Art Shenzhen 2021.
As a culture industry participant, Ye always has this deep understanding of the industry. He said, “This year’s Art Shenzhen has leapt forward in numerous aspects.” The exhibition is more professional with more high-quality exhibits, more participating collectors and optimized sections, he added.
Art Shenzhen is expanding its influence, and this is closely related to the city’s richer artistic atmosphere. “In recent years, an increasing number of contemporary art galleries were born in the city, marking a growing local art market,” Ye said.
According to Ye, Art Shenzhen attaches great importance to the cooperation with art institutions in order to form an “art matrix.” A total of 10 local galleries are on stage in the fair this year, including MANGROVEGALLERY, KennaXu Gallery, Gallery MC and HAIHAN ART SPACE.
A visitor takes a photo of an exhibit while her two companions look on at Art Shenzhen 2021.
What makes a successful art fair? The key is transaction. How to increase collectors’ engagement with the art fair? Ye indicated that this year’s Art Shenzhen has endeavored to look for and cultivate new collectors and held more promotional meetings and salons for all kinds of art this year. To inform collectors about the fair’s exhibits and increase transactions during the fair, Art Shenzhen’s organizing team has held promotional salons in local companies and institutions such as Art Club, CR Mixc Club, LA VIE and Huawei.
Art Shenzhen has been cultivating the art market for exhibited art institutions and artists and keeps recommending artworks with artistic value and potential to increase in value. It does not give up its goal in professionalism. Ye said: “Art Shenzhen has attracted more international galleries to join as exhibitors, thanks to the organizing team’s efforts. The team strictly controlled the exhibitors’ quality, and upgraded support and services for collectors.” Ye concluded that Art Shenzhen will keep exploring ways to be an example of mature art exhibition in the Greater Bay Area or even in China.
(Source | ITCSZ)