In the era of prolific online image sharing and the overuse of the photographic “selfie”, Instagram allows unprecedented access to artists’ lives and works. Viewing and following China’s art practitioners takes on the allure of celebrity-chase, giving people around the globe an insight into events, exhibitions and happenings in the art world that they could never normally experience.
Snapshot of Ai Weiwei’s Instagram feed, where you can follow the artist uncensored. Image taken by Art Radar.
In a similar vein to BLOUIN Artinfo‘s weekly ‘Instagrams of the Art World’ article series, I give you (in no particular order) a selection of people, collectives, institutions, galleries and spaces to follow in the Chinese contemporary art world. From the established to emerging artist, the writer to the critic, the commercial gallery to art library, go and get lost through their eyes… and if you want to, go and have a look through my eyes too – @rachel_marsden
Cao Fei, ‘Haze and Fog’, 2013. Still from the film courtesy the artist and Vitamin Creative Space.
Ai Weiwei @aiww
Instagram is now one of the only digital platforms where the renowned artist we know so well by face and name cannot be censored by the Chinese government. See his professional and personal life unfold, unedited with unrestricted access.
Cao Fei @cao_fei
Female contemporary Chinese artist and filmmaker translates the changing cityscapes and urban landscape as she travels, whilst questioning do “We really need so many social medias?”
Echo Morgan @echomorgan
A recent RCA London graduate who looks at translation through intuitive connections between performance, experience, place, body, gesture and voice.
AAAJIAO @aaajiao
Shanghai-based digital and online artist, visual programmer and innovator.
Morgan Wong @morganwwf
An emerging time-endurance-ritualised performance artist and recent MFA graduate from the Slade School of Fine Art, London, based between London and Hong Kong.
Liu Bolin @liubolin
Known by many as the invisible man, the Chinese artist and photographer who has a witty creative relationship with urban camouflage.
Gordon Cheung @gordoncheung
Visceral colourific images and painting practice by this Hong Kong born, London-based artist.
Hans Ulrich Obrist @hansulrichobrist
Recording art world statements one sentence at time. Short. Articulate. Insightful. A continuation of his text-based archival investigations and documentary book works.
Leo Xu @leo__xu
The life of a curator as it happens. Follow his global adventures. Founder of LEO XU PROJECTS, Shanghai.
Philip Tinari @philiptinari
One to definitely follow this year as he curates the Armory Focus section of the New York’s Armory Show. He is Director of Ullens Center for Contemporary Art, Beijing, who are also ‘grammers – follow at @ucca798
Ou Ning @ouninginstagram
A beautifully personal insight into the life of artist, curator, founder of Bishan Commune and Chief Editor of one of my favourite publications, Chutzpah!Magazine.
He Xiangyu, ‘Tank Project’, 2013, leather sculpture. Photo by Dora Tang, courtesy of UCCA.
Pipeline Magazine, Hong Kong @pipelineartmag
Insights into exhibitions and happenings in Hong Kong and beyond by this HK-based art magazine.
Thomas Sauvin @thomas_sauvin
Since 2009, Beijing-based editor, curator, archivist and collector Thomas Sauvin has amassed, edited and archived more than half a million photographic negatives destined for destruction in a recycling plant on the edge of the city. See them here as he starts to piece together beautiful and unknown histories.
NeochaEDGE @neochaedge
From design to fashion, photo shoots to print material, follow the travels, adventures and work of this super dynamic Shanghai creative agency, founded by Adam Schokora @ajs55.
Samantha Culp @newterritories
Follow the development of New Territories, an experimental studio and creative laboratory for the research, development and production of innovative cultural projects based in Shanghai and Los Angeles.
Platform China, Hong Kong @platformchinahk
Relatively new to Instagram, take a step into their world promoting contemporary art in China, working as platform for cultural dialogue between young pioneering Chinese and international artists.
Rockbund Art Museum, Shanghai @rockbundartmuseum
Sneak peaks behind the scenes and whats going on inside RAM, one of Shanghai’s most renowned art museums.
Follow Pearl Lam on Instagram for images of the galleries and the lady herself. Image courtesy Sutton PR Asia.
Pearl Lam Galleries @pearllamgalleries
From exhibitions to artists, private views to Pearl Lam herself. Glossy images of one of Asia’s most dynamic commercial art gallery’s dedicated to Chinese and international contemporary art and design.
Pekin Fine Arts, Hong Kong @pekinfineartshk
Visual snippets from the Beijing-based contemporary art gallery which represents international artists and promotes Asian artists worldwide.
Asia Art Archive, Hong Kong @asiaartarchive
Comprehensive documentation of AAA events as and when they happen. Fantastic to see so many people engaging in their research, practice, ideas and work.
Centre for Chinese Contemporary Art (CFCCA), Manchester, UK @cfcca_uk
From exhibitions to events, residencies to festivals, follow the CFCCA as they lead the way in Chinese contemporary visual culture in the UK whilst making international waves.
DSL Collection @dslcollection
New developments and insights into the collection from Sylvain and Dominique Levy.
Art Share @artshare
Pictures from the first global online platform dedicated to the exhibition and sale of contemporary Chinese art.
Rachel Marsden
This article is the second in a series looking into where to find information on Chinese contemporary art and culture digitally, online via your laptop, tablet or phone. The next article in a month’s time will look at what is offered through personal blogs.
Related Topics: Chinese contemporary art, art resources, resource alert, art and the internet
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