While the second wave of the pandemic forced the cancellation of several art fairs worldwide, in Asia the Covid 19 situation seems to be better, and Shanghai confirms the Youth Art Fair.
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Supported by the Liu Haisu Art Museum, the sixth edition of the Shanghai Youth Art Fair will start today at world trade centre (99 Xingyi Road, Shanghai).
Considered the most important Chinese cultural event, the fair is dedicated to emerging art. It has developed into a comprehensive online-offline display and service platform, driving sales of artwork through touring exhibitions and fostering crossover cooperation between commercial brands and artists.
In the past few months, a total of 18,736 works by 4,087 Chinese artists have reached the judging committee. After careful selection, 1,100 works by 260 artists were chosen, 40% of whom are recent graduates or students of art faculties at Chinese universities.
Moreover, they all share the experience of studying or conducting art exchanges abroad, which is not only reflected in their works, but also becomes a part of their context, whether it is creation or life.
The fair will be a part of the second Shanghai International Artwork Trade Month this year. The much-anticipated trade month has not only helped establish a trading system for young artists but has also presented a unique art feast for art lovers in Shanghai.
According to the curatorial team, this year the various exhibitions of the Young Art Fair will emphasize on the one hand the individual characteristics of each artist, while on the other hand they will emphasize the search for the new Chinese "organicity", expressed by the so-called collective individual power. A contradictory statement, which recalls Jinping's ideology, aimed at creating a new, powerful China, also through artistic contribution. To avoid a second Cultural Revolution, the event encourages an art scene attentive to recovering the cultural roots of the past, emphasizing its decisive role in building a unique identity in Asia.
Cover image: © Shanghai Young Art Fair, 2020
Written by Giulia Cami
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