BeijingArt Guide
Your guide to Beijing and the city's most important art fairs, museums, private collections, non-profits, and galleries, with tips on shows to see and artists to knowContemporary art sprung up in many cities after China’s reform and opening in 1979, but Beijing quickly emerged as the most dynamic. Pioneering artists and collectives such as the Stars Art Group helped to establish the city’s reputation for an energetic scene that drew in artists from around the country and collectors from abroad. Today, with Shanghai‘s thriving art market, Beijing is no longer the uncontested home of Mainland Chinese contemporary art—but its galleries and museums continue to put on some of the best exhibitions in the country.
Many of Beijing’s leading galleries are situated in the 798 Art District in the northeast of the capital. Among them, Beijing Commune has played a significant role in shaping the Chinese contemporary art scene since 2004, showing the most influential figures including Zhang Xiaogang, Song Dong and Yin Xiuzhen, while supporting the cutting-edge practices of younger generations such as Song Ta, Ge Yulu and Ma Qiusha. Galerie Urs Meile, Tabula Rasa Gallery, and HdM Gallery have set their flagship spaces in Beijing, showing works by local and international artists. Other significant galleries include Magician Space and Tang Contemporary Art.
Just a short drive further northeast is Caochangdi, home to some of the top galleries. Though some galleries have left China, White Space Beijing, and ShanghART Beijing are among the few that remain.
While 798 continues to be the central art hub of Beijing, some galleries have started to explore other options. Blanc Art Space is located in the National Foreign Cultural Trade Base, 30 kilometres from the city centre. As the city’s first art centre with a tax-free policy, the space has attracted major local and international galleries to set outposts here, including Tang Contemporary Art, White Space, and Lisson Gallery.
Beijing’s museums and institutions offer an exceptional arts and culture experience. Majority of Beijing’s best dedicated contemporary art museums are privately owned, with the exception of the Central Academy of Fine Arts (CAFA) Art Museum. The Ullens Center for Contemporary Art (UCCA) has long been a cornerstone of Beijing’s art scene with important retrospectives and surveys, such as Bao Dong and Sun Dongdong’s ON | OFF (2013), an authoritative overview of Chinese artists born after 1975. After the museum’s original owners withdrew funding, the UCCA renovated the building and extended its programme, presenting major solo exhibitions of renowned modern and contemporary artists from Picasso and Matisse to Andy Warhol and Maurizio Cattelan, while continuing to exhibit Chinese artists including Liu Xiaodong, Cao Fei, and Huang Rui.
What's On in Beijing's Galleries
Immerse yourself in Beijing, China’s contemporary art scene and experience the diverse variety of artistic expressions on display. Over the last few decades, Beijing, China, has become a contemporary art hub for Asia and beyond.
Contemporary art sprung up in many cities after China’s reform and opening in 1979, but Beijing quickly emerged as the most dynamic. Pioneering artists and collectives such as the Stars Art Group helped to establish the city’s reputation for an energetic scene that drew in artists from around the country and collectors from abroad. Today, with Shanghai‘s thriving art market, Beijing is no longer the uncontested home of Mainland Chinese contemporary art—but its galleries and museums continue to put on some of the best exhibitions in the country.
The Beijing contemporary art scene boasts several world-class galleries, including ShanghART, Lisson Gallery, Tabula Rasa Gallery and more.
Best Exhibitions to See in Beijing
Ocula aims to introduce Contemporary Chinese art to the general public while highlighting some of China’s most highly regarded artists. We’ve selected the best of Beijing contemporary art so you can experience the whole spectrum of what China’s art galleries have to offer. View each exhibit’s profile to gain insights into the realm of work displayed. Each profile includes information about the artists, details for news publications, and where the contemporary art exhibit is held.
Although the Chinese contemporary art community is vibrant year-round, a few significant events bring Chinese contemporary art to the larger cultural market for the greater public to experience. These include Gallery Weekend Beijing, held in springtime, and the Beijing International Art Biennale, held every two years. Beijing contemporary art exhibitions explore established cultural subjectivity, Chinese society’s value systems, and the evolving cultural landscape.
Bringing Together the Leading Art in Beijing
If you’re ready to explore the Beijing contemporary art scene, you can use our multilayered platform to find an art exhibit in Beijing, China, that suits your interest. You may wish to visit the No. 52 Liulichang East Street exhibit, created by Ma Qiusha. Combining personal family heirlooms, antiques, and artist-made pieces, Ma Qiusha uses her work to forge connections between the past and present.
Immerse yourself in Chinese contemporary art at Painting Sociology, which features visionary presentations created by abstract painter Zhu Jinshi. Inspired by the intersection of sociology and contemporary art, Zhu Jinshi’s pieces communicate his expression of art’s place in society for all parties involved.
Explore Ghost on Demand, a contemporary art presentation by Li Jingxiong, one of China’s most innovative artists. This collection of installations offers commentary on modern society’s value systems, including our relationship with technology. View each gallery profile to discover the best of China’s contemporary art on display.
Explore Beijing's Best Exhibitions at Leading Museums and Galleries
Follow Beijing's Important Museums, Private Collections, Galleries and Non-Profit Art Spaces.
Read More On Beijing's Exhibitions, Artists, Galleries
Since its launch in 2010, Ocula Magazine has interviewed some of Beijing’s most significant artists including Wang Jianwei, Liu Xiaodong, and Wang Tuo. Ocula Magazine has also published features of Beijing-based artists such as Shen Ling and Hao Liang.
Learn About and Follow Artists on Show in Beijing
Sign up to My Ocula to follow artists and galleries, save artworks to your favourites, and be informed when new exhibitions and features are published.
Beijing has propelled the careers of Chinese and international artists, with its renowned galleries and museums providing a global stage for seminal exhibitions. Artists who have recently held major exhibitions in the city include Geng Jianyi, Martin Margiela, Patty Chang, Matthew Barney, and Louise Bourgeois.
Discover Exceptional Artworks on Show and for Sale in Beijing
Sign up to My Ocula to follow artists and galleries, save artworks to your favourites, and be informed when new artworks become available.
A respected voice in contemporary art discourse.
Focusing on ambitious storytelling and insightful art-world commentary. Ocula Magazine publishes in-depth interviews, critical essays and timely analysis on the artists, exhibitions and ideas driving the global art world.
Learn more about Ocula Magazine
Showcasing the best of the art world.
Ocula partners with galleries from around the world to highlight their artists, artworks and exhibitions. Gallery membership is by application and invitation, with each member vetted by an independent panel.
Learn more about Ocula Membership
Specialises in the sale of major artworks.
Led by a team with deep ties to the world’s leading auction houses, galleries and collectors. Ocula’s advisory team offers bespoke services to high-net-worth clients from around the world who are looking to acquire the best of contemporary and modern art.
Learn more about our team and services