The 12th Art Shenzhen opened Thursday with a VIP preview at the Shenzhen Convention and Exhibition Center in Futian District, drawing artists, collectors, and gallery owners to the city at the heart of Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area.
The fair, a key event under the China (Shenzhen) International Cultural Industries Fair, features 66 galleries and art projects from 31 cities. More than 1,000 works – including paintings, sculptures, photography, installations – are on display through Sunday.
"This is a fair worth visiting slowly because it contains many works and many artists," said Lorenz Helbling, founder of ShanghART Gallery, one of China's oldest contemporary art galleries. "In every piece, the artist has poured their entire philosophy and knowledge."
The exhibitor list includes long-term participants like Galleria Continua and Tang Contemporary Art, alongside first-time exhibitors such as Berlin's Art Nova and Hong Kong's THE SHOPHOUSE.
Shenzhen-based galleries, including Mangrove Gallery and KennaXu Gallery, highlight the city's growing local scene.
The fair expands beyond traditional booths with dedicated sections for experimental art projects and emerging artists. It also coordinates with citywide events including the 6th Shenzhen Biennale of Contemporary Art, Holly's autumn auctions, and Wanxia 1012 Art Festival.
Galleries cite Shenzhen's strategic location and dynamic market as key reasons for participating.
"Shenzhen is a highly dynamic city. We have identified Shenzhen as a key city for our expansion in recent years," said Lu Guobin of Frogman Art, which is showing works by about 10 European and North American artists. He attributed the booming art scene to the city's active galleries, frequent exhibitions, and growing collector base.
Reflecting on the current art climate, Helbling observed, "It's a special time now for contemporary art... a moment of reflection."
The fair closed over the weekend December 7th but worth taking a note for the next years fair.