UPCOMING

Emerald Tablet - Xiaoyun Chen Solo Show

Xiaoyun Chenhe’s latest exhibition in conjunction with H-Space involves multi-screen videos, photography and large installations. The eponymous Emerald Tablet is an ancient text by Egyptian sage Hermes which claims to hold the secrets of human existence. July 18^th – August 18^th. ShanghART Warehouse, Building 18, M50. www.shanghartgallery.com

 

NEW

Legacy and Fiction

Conceptual photographers Xu Guofeng and Kang Kai explore traditional Chinese opera’s place in modern society using elements of pop culture to turn an old art form into something new. June 25^th – July 6^th. Bamboo Art Space, 20 Moganshan Lu, M50. www.1918artspace.com

 

Mao for Sale

Shanghai-based street artist Elke Martini presents her views on Mao murals, while fellow city dweller and conceptual artist Pia Johanson investigates art piracy. June 25^th – July 8^th. [the studio] 796B Julu Lu, near Fumin Lu. www.thestudio.cn

 

King Buffalos of China and Queen Cows of Switzerland

At first glance, China and Switzerland don’t have much in common, apart from ‘Canton’, but that’s pretty tenuous... However, Italian Swiss photographer Petri de Pità has compared Guizhou’s buffalo fights with cow fighting in Switzerland’s Valais region. This exhibition is the rather surprising result. Until June 29^th. Alliance Française de Shanghai, Hongkou Centre, 5F, 297 Wusong Lu. www.afshanghai.org

 

One Year in Posters – 12 Posters by Bruno Porto

This is a retrospective of Shanghai-based Brazilian graphic designer Bruno Porto’s works from last year. Some of the posters were designed for Brazilian art events in Asia, such as Hanoi’s Brazilian Film Week, while others are commentaries on current affairs like the Olympics. June 25^th - July 11^th. 550 Wuding Lu.

 

Dai Qing: Blazing

Dai Qing has had something of a colorful life. She’s had jobs ranging from rock drummer, bar manager, and documentary maker, and uses her vibrant history to inspire her art. In this series of portraits, she mixes heavy brushstrokes with unbridled passion. June 25^th – July 19^th. Shopping Gallery, 1F, Bldg 8, 50 Moganshan Lu, M50. www.shoppinggallery.cn

 

Daily Rituals

This group exhibition gathers work from artists Chen Jie, Chen Wenbo, Jiang Zhi, Liang Wei, Lin Yilin, Qiu Shi-hua, Yang Jiechang, Zeng Li, and Zhang Liaoyuan, to explore how the mundane can be beautiful. June 25^th – July 18^th. Shanghai Gallery of Art, 3/F, 3 Zhongshan Dong Yi Lu, near Sichuan Zhong Lu. www.threeonthebund.com

 

Tony Wong

Guangdong Tony Wong has spent most of his life in the USA, where he honed his skills as a figurative oil painter. He rose to fame after being chosen to display at the 1984 Venice Biennale, and showed his work all across the States and Asia. His works are an intriguing mix of Chinese legend and American folklore, drawing on his past and present states of mind. June 25^th – Aug 1^st. Leo Gallery, Ferguson Lane, 376 Wukang Lu. info@leogallery.com.cn

 

ONGOING

A Moroccan Journey

Once upon a time there was a young math teacher named Eric Mannaerts who was sent to Morocco in 1982. He fell instantly in love with his adopted country, and he could never quite forget it, even years later when he moved to Shanghai. These photographs are a tribute to Morocco and its people. Until July 10^th. Galerie Beaugeste, Taikang Lu. www.beaugeste-gallery.com

 

FQ’s Anniversary Summer Show

Shanghai’s smallest gallery is putting on a summer show to celebrate one year in the city – a review of the past 12 months at FQ. June 19^th – Aug 23th. FQ Projects, No. 76, Lane 927 Huaihai Zhong Lu, near Maoming Nan Lu. www.fqprojects.com

 

Form & Function

Cups, plates, and bowls, but artistic ones. This exhibition features the work of six up and coming ceramic artists (five Chinese and one American) who are experimenting with utility and creativity. Until June 30^th. Two Cities Gallery, M50. www.twocitiesgallery.com

 

Yang Fudong: Dawn Mist, Separation Faith

Yang Fudong’s solo exhibition is his biggest so far in China, and is a collection of his 2009 pieces. He compares the concepts of belief and danger, inspired by the fact that the Chinese word for belief is pronounced the same was as the word for snake’s tongue. May 24^th – Aug 23rd. No.28, Lane 199 Fangdian Lu, near Yanggao Zhong Lu. www.zendaiart.com

 

Nextkunst.licht Group Exhibition

The Kunst.licht gallery continues its quest to discover China’s most talented new photographers. This exhibition shows the works Fei Tian, Ge Fang, Sun Yanchu, Tang Like, and Wen Jian. June 20^th – Sep 19^th. Kunst.licht, 210 Wulumuqi Lu. www.kunstlicht.sh

 

No Subject

A bit of a mystery, this one. Details are being kept relatively secret for Eastlink’s latest show. All we know is that Guan Shi, Hu Zi, Lin Xiaofeng, Perk, and Shao Wenhuan are among the artists displaying their work. Until 30^th June. Eastlink Gallery, Bldg 6, 5/F, M50. www.eastlinkgallery.cn

 

Memoirs of a Butterfly

Photographers Xu Guofeng and Kang Kai come together, using themes from traditional Chinese opera to question pop culture and modern society. 13^th June – 9^th July. Bamboo ArtSPACE, 20 Moganshan Lu.

 

Beyond ‘The End’

Chen Weiwei is the youngest artist ever to exhibit at ShiNE. This collection gathers Chen’s work from the past three years, since she graduated from art school. Her art depicts a world populated by sinister clowns and dolls, and her work asks us to challenge our beliefs of what is right and wrong. June 2^nd – July 2^nd. ShiNE Artspace, 1F Block 9, M50. www.shineartspace.com

 

A Snapshot of Contemporary Vietnamese Art

Ever wondered about the state of modern art in Vietnam? Wonder no longer. Through the work of seven Vietnamese artists, this exhibition seeks to showcase contemporary Vietnamese art. Until July 20th. Ifa Gallery Downtown, 621 Changde Lu. www.ifa-gallery.com

 

Art Economies beyond Pattern Recognition

An exhibition which asks artists to examine their changing roles in the current economic climate. How will their works find success in the future? Artists include Bird Head, Gao Mingyan, Jin Feng, Lu Jiawei, Li Mu, Hu Yun, Lu Pingyuan, Tang Dixin, Zhao Zhao, and Anton Vidokle. May 30^th – July 20^th. Osage, 93 Duolun Lu. www.osagegallery.com

 

Blackboard

Artists including Wang Xing Wei, Xu Zhen, Yang Zhen Zhong, and Xiang Li use blackboards for their canvasses. A bit like being back at school, only a lot cooler. Until June 30^th. H-Space, Building 18, M50. www.shanghartgallery.com

 

Fish & Chic

Artistic duo Tristan and Lidia come together again for this exhibition of photographs and sculpture on the theme of water, movement, and fluidity. May 22^nd – June 27^th. Elisabeth de Brabant Art Center, 299 Fuxing Xi Lu, near Huashan Lu. www.elisabethdebrabant.com

 

Eric Leleu: BJ08 Instants Decisifs

Chosen from nearly 4,500 photographs taken over a year, these 12 shots of Beijing by Eric Leleu present a collective snap-shot of the city’s 15 minutes of fame. Until June 30^th. Art Labor, 36 Yongjia Lu. www.artlaborgallery.com

 

Dance This Mess Around

This exhibition is Sarah Blakeman’s reaction to working as an artist in China – the struggles and joys it brings. Using traditional Chinese lucky motifs as her inspiration, Blakeman mixes in her own visual vocabulary to interesting effect. Until Nov 30^th. Am Space, 6 Xiangshan Lu, near Sinan Lu. www.amspacesh.com

 

The Ever-Changing Artist

A cross-genre group exhibition across six rooms, including the work of oil painters Chen Jingdong and Si Mao, mixed materials master Qu Weiwei and international visual artist Sergio Tarantino.

May 23rd – June 23rd. Fellini Gallery, 339 Changle Lu, near Xiangyang Lu. www.fellinigallery.com

 

My Carnival: Yang Jing Solo Exhibition

Fresh from exhibiting in Hong Kong, London, New York, Miami, and Madrid, rising star Yang Jing brings her debut solo exhibition to Shanghai. In My Carnival, she uses a mannequin as a base for exploring a variety of themes. May 26^th – June 28^th. Andrew James Art, 39 Maoming Bei Lu, near Yan'an Zhong Lu. www.andrewjamesart.com

 

Camaleon

Photographer Alexandra Diez De Rivera comes to Art Labor with a collection of ironic, intriguing and provocative images of young, trendy Shanghaiers. April 18^th – November 30^th. Art Labor, 36 Yongjia Lu. www.artlaborgallery.com