In November 2025, ART021 Shanghai Contemporary Art Fair officially opened at the Shanghai Exhibition Center. As one of China's most internationally influential art fairs, this year's ART021 continued to uphold its core philosophy of "rooted locally, connected globally," bringing together top galleries and art institutions from nearly twenty countries and regions worldwide. The fair showcased cutting-edge creations from approximately one hundred artists, infusing vibrant artistic energy into this international metropolis.

Art021 Shanghai

This edition of ART021 achieved comprehensive upgrades in its exhibition system, visitor flow, and public projects. From classic modern to contemporary avant-garde, from paintings to video installations, diverse media intertwined within the historic architectural space, collectively constructing an open field for contemporary art. Professional collectors, curators, art institution representatives, and general visitors alike experienced the vibrant atmosphere where art resonates with the city's pulse.

As one of Shanghai's cultural landmarks, ART021 continues to promote the dynamic ecosystem of Asian contemporary art. During the fair, multiple forums, art dialogues, and public projects were conducted simultaneously, ensuring that art extends beyond transactions to become a vital engine driving cultural trends and urban imagination. The VIP opening day saw a bustling crowd, with domestic and international collectors actively making purchases, reflecting a market that shows positive stability and continually increasing enthusiasm.

Art021 Shanghai

Whitestone Gallery, as one of Asia's most representative galleries, continued with its curatorial theme of "Eastern Spirit and International Vision," bringing to ART021 an artistic spectrum bridging Japanese post-war avant-garde and contemporary Asian art. The booth presented classic works by Atsuko Tanaka, Tsuyoshi Maekawa, Yayoi Kusama, Katuyoshi Inokuma, and Nobuko Watabiki, along with pieces by young Japanese artists Kisho Kakutani, Shizuka Ando, and Miyako Terakura. Similarly, works by Chinese artists Jiang Miao, Dai Ying, Wu Shuang, and Misha collectively formed a multi-layered dialogue spanning decades and cultures.

Whitestone Gallery Booth

The exhibited works encompassed multiple media including paintings, three-dimensional pieces, and mixed materials, presenting a multi-layered structure from Japanese post-war avant-garde to contemporary Asian art. Atsuko Tanaka's signature circuit-like lines and color modules demonstrated the Gutai movement's exploration of corporeality and dynamism; Tsuyoshi Maekawa's "Burlap Series" used textured burlap as a medium, constructing tension-filled abstract images through rhythmic lines and color blocks; Yayoi Kusama's works continued her repetitive dots and web structures, pointing to an infinitely expanding spiritual space through intense visual rhythm. Katuyoshi Inokuma presented his distinctive materiality through textured surfaces and warm tones; Nobuko Watabiki's paintings constructed serene and rhythmic visual fields through overlapping soft color layers and high-brightness particles.

Whitestone Gallery Booth

Meanwhile, emerging Japanese artists brought distinctly contemporary expressions: Kisho Kakutani captured "invisible landscapes" with wet brushstrokes and blurred images; Shizuka Ando built perceptual structures between painting and materiality through layered color particles and organic forms; Miyako Terakura depicted subtle flows of body, space, and memory through paper-based and mixed materials.

Whitestone Gallery Booth

Works by Chinese artists also brought multiple contemporary expressions to the booth. Jiang Miao presented visual symbols of life cycles and energy flows through composite techniques of scraped acrylic and wood panels; Dai Ying's paper works continued her consistent delicacy and layering, developing unique visual rhythms between tempo and breath; Wu Shuang's colorful oil paintings constructed energetic pictorial structures with rich color layers and abundant brushstrokes, maintaining free fluidity between abstraction and figuration; Misha depicted plant imagery with low-saturation colors, creating a quiet observational perspective in soft yet restrained images, preserving open imaginative space between nature and inner emotions.

Whitestone Gallery Booth

Whitestone Gallery maintained its consistently precise and restrained spatial layout, creating breathing room between works through visual layering, making the booth stand out among numerous exhibition areas. The fair's first day attracted many professional collectors, institutional representatives, and media visitors, with high discussion levels about the artists' works and impressive sales results. During this ART021, Whitestone Gallery sold many artists' works beyond expectations, including both precious works by classic avant-garde masters and new creations by young artists, demonstrating strong market interest in diverse creative approaches.

Whitestone Gallery Booth

With its distinctive curatorial concept, refined presentation of works, and mature international market strategy, Whitestone Gallery's appearance at this ART021 once again demonstrated its solid position in the Asian art landscape. The booth not only became one of the most talked-about exhibition areas at this fair but also injected strong energy into Shanghai's art season.

Whitestone Gallery Booth

As the lights dimmed under the dome of the Shanghai Exhibition Center, the city was once again illuminated at the intersection of art and culture. ART021 continues to shape Shanghai's art ecosystem with its open, international, and diverse character, while Whitestone Gallery's outstanding presentation added a brilliant stroke to this annual event. Looking forward, Whitestone Gallery will continue to promote in-depth exchanges in Asian contemporary art through its international vision and professional curation, allowing the energy of art to flow continuously through more cities and cultures.