9 Must-See Features of ART021: Creating a Deep Urban Resonance, Pioneering Cross-Border Discourse
November 20, 2025
Thirteen years ago, an art fair named ART021 made its debut at the Bund Origin in Shanghai, bringing together dozens of outstanding domestic and international galleries and welcoming a full house of guests. From that moment, the city's deeply rooted artistic pulse was awakened, and a vibrant art scene began to flourish. Since then, ART021 has become inextricably linked with the identity of Shanghai—embodying the city's "inclusive and eclectic" Haipai cultural DNA, its urban sophistication, and its forward-thinking spirit. With its dynamic commercial vitality, ART021 has written a powerful cultural footnote for the city. This year, ART021 once again dedicates to the city a vivid practice of modernity, presenting projects full of sincerity and innovation. As the opening approaches, ARTnews China unveils the nine must-see highlights of this year's edition, illustrating how contemporary art today deeply intertwines with the urban cultural landscape and leads cross-disciplinary trends.
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ART021 | One Space, A Symphony of Voices
The evocation of the term "Approach" in the context of an art fair can be understood, on one hand, as a "path"—a method to establish effective connections between artworks and collectors; on the other hand, it signifies "entry," urging us to start from the concrete and observe the practical workings of the contemporary art ecosystem. At the ART021 venue in the Shanghai Exhibition Center, the "Approach" section is situated in a loop-shaped corridor, encircling the central hall and positioned both in dialogue and close connection with the many blue-chip galleries at the heart of the exhibition space. This deliberately planned layout seems to reflect the organizers' ideal vision for the art ecosystem: every role holds a significant place on the stage known as contemporary art. If the overwhelming array of exhibitions during Shanghai Art Season can be described as "a hundred flowers blooming together," then the art fair itself is a more intense "close-quarters combat"—a working interface where images, capital, and narratives circulate rapidly. In such an environment, maintaining clarity and effectiveness becomes a crucial measure of a gallery's excellence.
21 Glimpses into ART021
The 13th ART021 Shanghai Contemporary Art Fair (hereafter referred to as ART021) has opened as scheduled. Among the 141 participating institutions, familiar veterans maintained their annual presence, while some past highlights were notably absent. Yet 34 new faces made their debut, collectively shaping this diverse and authentic art scene. As the excitement of the opening day gradually settled, a practical question emerged: How did the galleries fare on this crucial night? We navigated through the exhibition halls and gathered 21 candid reflections from gallery founders and directors. These firsthand accounts go beyond mere sales figures — they capture the temperature and direction of the market, sketching the truest contours of this VIP night.
New Landmark in Contemporary Art: 2025 ART021 SHANGHAI
As one of China's most influential art fairs, the 13th ART021 Shanghai Contemporary Art Fair will return to the Shanghai Exhibition Center from November 13 to 16. Now in its thirteenth edition, ART021 remains committed to "Focus on the Local, Engage with the Global." Deeply rooted in the vibrant artistic landscape of Shanghai and China at large, it actively promotes the long-term practices of local artists and galleries while maintaining consistent participation from globally significant galleries, providing a unique and dynamic platform for exchange between Chinese and international art scenes. 141 participating galleries and projects from 50 cities across 22 countries and regions have gathered in Shanghai, once again transforming the city into the most vivid site of contemporary art
November Art Season Arrives as Scheduled: Navigate the Art Scene with This Guide
In November, the art world’s focus returns to Shanghai. A series of concurrent art fairs and festivals will welcome artists, professionals, and audiences from around the globe. The twelfth edition of the West Bund Art & Design, the thirteenth ART021 Shanghai Contemporary Art Fair, and the fifteenth Shanghai Biennale are set to take place as planned. While continuing to present diverse international perspectives, these events will showcase new developments in their curated sections, public programs, and first-time participating galleries.
Alessandro Twombly makes his Asia debut at M+M in Hong Kong
Alessandro Twombly debuts his work in Asia at M+M in Hong Kong.
M+M Gallery at ART021 Shanghai 2025
M+M Gallery is pleased to announce its participation in the 2025 ART021 Shanghai Contemporary Art Fair, located at the Approach Unit booth P03. The gallery will present a curated selection of works by three artists: Alessandro Twombly, Francesco Cima, and Li Fang.
As Gallery Closure Talks Soar, 18 New Openings Defy the Odds: Who's Crying Crisis Now?
Amid economic downturn and market contraction, reports of domestic gallery closures and foreign institutional pullbacks have become frequent. At this pivotal moment of a new round of transformation in China's contemporary art market, while some are exiting, new spaces are also entering the scene.
After Basel: Hong Kong’s indispensable role in the art world
In the increasingly fierce competition for cultural discourse power, the significance of Hong Kong's art market has transcended its role as a mere trading hub.