In June 2006, a new art institution, Tang Contemporary Art Centre, was established in the new art Mecca in Beijing, known as 798 plant or DaShanZi, where a former state-owned electronic factory was accommodated. Now the whole area is converted into a cultural zone, an art frontier of Beijing, China and a touchstone to prove Beijing's ambition & ability to develop into a major globe megalopolis in the coming decade. Under this historical background amid a new & developing art compound, Tang Contemporary Art has announced its birth, its new name and identity, to celebrate the opening of a new art space in Beijing, China. The aim of the centre is to focus on the promotion & development of Chinese & foreign contemporary art, as well as improving mutual dynamism between Chinese artists and their foreign counterparts.
Tang Contemporary Art is located in the heart of 798 factory area, and the gallery space occupies 600 sqm with the maximum height of the building exceeding 12 meters. This spacious area guarantees to provide a best possible environment for accommodating various art activities. The centre functions not only as an art gallery, but it's also an institution specialized in curating art exhibition; finding & promoting new generation artist; sourcing & marketing of art works; consulting art administration business and doing research of art theories. The centre will hold art exhibitions on a regular basis, and also will engage in artwork & theory publication, launching academic forum & giving support to organization & individuals in art collection. The centre also owns a gallery, Tang Gallery, in Bangkok, Thailand which is among the top galleries dealing with contemporary Chinese art in Southeast Asia. The gallery has successfully introduced and promoted contemporary Chinese art through a string of exhibitions featuring highly established and sought-after artists. These include the major artists such as Zhang Xiaogang, Fang Lijun, Yue Minjun and Liu Xiaodong. Several mid-career artists including Guo Jin, Guo Wei, Weng Fen (Weng Peijun), Yan Lei, and Manit Sriwanichpoom.
The gallery is located in the basement of a well-known gallery complex, Silom Galleria, with an area size of (300 sqm) and the interior space of the gallery is particularly airy and spacious. Designed to a bare essential to maintain a contemporary charm, with clean white walls and excellent lighting all help to create a magnificent space where artworks can be display at its best. So with the networks in Beijing & Bangkok, we can take the advantages of the both places, to promote both Chinese & Asian contemporary art in a global scenario.
While Tang Contemporary Art will still be continuing to initiate and push contemporary Chinese artist, to help further knowledge and appreciation of the new dynamism in Chinese art, we are also heading towards a broader ambitions to pursue an expansive interest in the rapidly developing world of Asian contemporary art, with an envision that the potential and vibrancy of artistic boundaries know no bounds and borders. By producing the best art, in the best possible conditions, Tang Contemporary Art responds and supports a range of exhibitions/projects from painting, sculpture, photography, installation, to new media and conceptual etc. Each has its own merit. More importantly, the centre wants to encourage significant artistic visions that brim with imaginative vitality.
Within our exhibition programs, the centre will initiate a series of curatorial-led activities that encourage and identify imaginative and uncharted territories of art-making – to give an exhibition/project a proper breathing space it requires. It is a willingness to explore unusual avenues when selecting artists, themes and subject approaches.
In step with the expanding growth of our business scope, Tang Contemporary Art now also provides art consultancy to corporate clients, cultural organizations, and individual collectors. We offer curatorial advice, research and sourcing. We also do art leasing, purchasing and management of private and corporate collections.
As Beijing is the cultural centre of modern China, the capital city thus provides a best platform for Tang Contemporary Art Centre to pursue its dream & ambition. In this globalization era, and in an increasingly materialized & despiritualized world, we just want to do our best to make our tiny contribution to the progression and development of Chinese contemporary art & culture in the broader sense.
