Joanna James
Although the capital of China's Guangdong Province is not revered as an art hotspot, the city is home to some of the country's most impressive museums and contemporary art galleries. Here are 5 such institutions that should be part of every travel itinerary in Guangzhou.
Ranked among the city's most prominent art hubs, the Guangdong Times Museum is housed within an iconic design by Alain Fouraux and Rem Koolhaas. Having opened its doors to the public in 2010, this non-profit museum and gallery occupy the top floors and the ground level of an apartment compound. True to the museum's own ethos, the architecture and the location of the museum in an apartment building speaks to Guangzhou's dwindling real estate. The exhibits on show are related to both urban architecture and planning and the work of internationally renowned artists like Adel Abdessemed and Pipilotti Rist have graced its galleries. Pushing the envelope on creative expression, the museum controversially played host to the Autonomous Regions exhibit in 2013, which dealt with contemporary art and the autonomy of its creators in the restrictive creative environment of China.
No trip to Guangzhou would be complete without a tour of the Guangdong Museum of Art. Located within close range of Ascott IFC Guangzhou and several other Guangzhou apartments for rent, this illustrious museum is one of the largest art institutions in all of China. Hosting more than 60 art shows annually, the venue not only showcases contemporary art pieces but also ancient Chinese art. Highlighting the paintings and installations of Chinese expats living overseas, the museum also pays special attention to art that's originating from the Pearl River Delta. The work of local greats such as Chen Shaoxiong and Xu Tan are also on show at the museum, which is surrounded by a lush garden dotted with sculptures and art installations.
Occupying pride of place down Nong Lin Xia Road in Guangzhou lies the Fei Gallery. As its name indicates, the venue serves as a "doorway" to contemporary art for ordinary citizens and the creatively inclined. With home-grown and international artists gracing its exhibition spaces, Fei Gallery offers visitors a look at both the local and the global contemporary art scene from its location close to the Dongshankou subway station.
Contained in what was once a factory for canned food, the Redtory Art & Design Factory is a creative zone unlike any other in Guangzhou. Serving as a veritable artists' village, the venue serves as a platform for promoting contemporary art as well as other industries including applied engineering and the field of design. Since its opening in 2009, the gallery has hosted well over 200 art events or exhibitions including lectures and cultural showcases.
As the first non-profit contemporary art hub to be established in Guangzhou, the 53 Art Museum has done wonders for the local art scene. With its goal of elevating the status of "the experimental, pioneering, cross-border nature of contemporary art" at the centre of its activities, the venue has become an epicentre for art lovers and artists.
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