ART LABOR is a contemporary gallery located in the former French Concession area of central Shanghai, opened by Canadian director Martin Kemble, an independent, international art space and agency, and a real concern for our artists and their work. Our emphasis is on originality and high quality of production in all media, with ethical representation.

In four very fast years ART LABOR has created a gallery that has redefined Shanghai’s artistic identity. ART LABOR supports artists who do not necessarily require a national identity, artists which are comfortable or uncomfortable in their own skin, equals in any artistic scene in the world today. We see our artists first and simply as artists, free of national brand. We intend to exhibit original works and bring some fresh air into a climate where art has become a bit overly familiar and obvious to the habituated observer of the Chinese art scene, which we feel needs to move on a bit if it is to lead the world in a new direction in contemporary art. From emerging art stars to some of the most original artists to show in Shanghai, we run a program that is usually surprising, and always engaging.

The artists we represent are approximately half mainland Chinese and half of other countries… British, Austrian, Canadian, Japanese, etc. We seek artists making truly original and meaningful work, whether intellectually, emotionally effecting or simply aesthetically pleasing.

Our gallery is 300m2 (3300 sq ft) and has an extra capability of another 200 m2 plus an outdoor terrace of 60m2. We are no longer accepting submissions by email, please snail mail ONLY to the street address.

Opening hours:
Tue - Sat  11am - 7pm
Sunday  12noon - 6pm
close on Mon