Discover the vibrant tapestry of Asian contemporary art with our curated guide to the 10 biggest art exhibitions happening this October 2024. Immerse yourself in groundbreaking works that challenge conventions, provoke thought, and inspire awe. From established masters to rising stars, experience the diverse cultural landscapes of Asia through these must-see exhibitions.

Gordon Cheung: Peaceful Retreat

• When: 6 Sep – 12 Oct 2024
• Where: Almine Rech, Shanghai

The Almine Rech gallery in Shanghai is currently hosting a solo exhibition of Gordon Cheung’s work, titled “Peaceful Retreat.” This exhibition showcases a collection of his latest mixed-media paintings and installations that draw inspiration from the serene and harmonious beauty of Chinese gardens. Cheung’s works seamlessly blend traditional Chinese aesthetics with contemporary artistic techniques, creating a captivating and thought-provoking experience for viewers. The exhibition also features a series of specially crafted ceramic sculptures that complement the paintings and installations, adding depth and dimension to the overall presentation.

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Lawrence Abu Hamdan: Zifzafa

• When: 3 Sep – 3 Nov 2024
• Where: Barakat Contemporary, Seoul

Barakat Contemporary is hosting Lawrence Abu Hamdan’s first solo exhibition in Korea, titled “Zifzafa.” Abu Hamdan, a renowned artist and activist, uses sound as a powerful tool to explore political and social issues. His new project “Zifzafa” delves into the concept of sound and wind, drawing inspiration from the Arabic word that describes the rattling and shaking caused by strong winds.

The exhibition features a series of new works by Abu Hamdan, including “Wind Ensemble,” “Tilting at Windmills,” “Haze,” and “Zifzafa: a video-game essay.” These works examine the noise, harm, and effects of the Israeli government’s controversial project to build wind turbines near villages in the Golan Heights. Abu Hamdan aims to expose the political and ideological motives behind this project, highlighting its negative impact on the local communities.

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Social Abstraction

• When: 10 Sep – 2 Nov 2024
• Where: Gagosian, Hong Kong

Gagosian Gallery presents “Social Abstraction,” a curated exhibition featuring eleven contemporary artists exploring themes of social justice and representation. Highlights include Kevin Beasley’s sculpture “Untitled (Bathtub)” and Allana Clarke’s painting “Untitled (Black Figure).” The exhibition is on view at Gagosian Gallery in Hong Kong.

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Derrick Adams: The Strip

• When: 3 Sep – 12 Oct 2024
• Where: Gagosian at APMA Cabinet, Seoul

Gagosian Gallery presents “Derrick Adams: The Strip,” the artist’s inaugural solo exhibition in Korea. The exhibition features a collection of Adams’s latest works, specifically created for this presentation. These new pieces showcase Adams’s signature style, characterized by bold colors, geometric patterns, and playful imagery. The exhibition is held in the APMA Cabinet, a project space within the headquarters of Amorepacific, a globally recognized Korean beauty company, located in the heart of Seoul.

“Derrick Adams: The Strip” coincides with the third edition of the Frieze Seoul art fair, a major cultural event in the region. This unique opportunity allows for a wider audience to engage with Adams’s work and discover his artistic vision. The exhibition offers a glimpse into Adams’s exploration of themes such as identity, culture, and social commentary through his vibrant and engaging artworks.

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Hope is the thing with feathers

• When: 24 Aug – 20 Oct 2024
• Where: Bluerider ART Shanghai, Shanghai

Bluerider ART presents “Hope is the thing with feathers – Post-80s Chinese Youth Artist Open Call Exhibition,” showcasing 48 works by 25 young Chinese artists born after 1985. The exhibition includes a variety of mediums, including painting, ink, sculpture, and kinetic installations. The purpose of the exhibition is to discover and promote exceptional young Chinese artists, encourage innovation, explore different perspectives, and provide a platform for professional development and social interaction. The exhibition aims to foster learning and growth, enhance artistic skills, and gain wider recognition for the artists’ works.

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Willi Siber: Baroque Pearls

• When: 7 Sep – 10 Nov 2024
• Where: Bluerider ART Taipei · DunRen, Taipei

The solo exhibition “Willi Siber: Baroque Pearls” features over a dozen new works, including wall installations and sculptures. The centerpiece is a large triptych titled “Tafelobjekt,” which features sculpted organic curves that reflect light in a dynamic way. Two new black and white works with symmetrical concave and convex surfaces evoke a pearl-like tactile sensation. The well-known steel sculpture series “Stehende” and “Wood Wall Object” are covered with luxurious Baroque colors and move like the liveliness of nature.

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Mark Bradford. Exotica

• When: 26 Sep 2024 – 1 Mar 2025
• Where: Hauser & Wirth, Hong Kong

Hauser & Wirth presents “Exotica,” a solo exhibition by Mark Bradford featuring new paintings that explore colonialism, “otherness,” and individual experience. The exhibition includes a variety of techniques, including staining with caulk and using fabric dye, inked-paper, and oxidized paper. The title references a 1968 encyclopedia that catalogued exotic plants from a western perspective. Bradford examines how we create and internalize concepts of the “exotic,” turning inward to explore his own preconceptions. The exhibition also includes fifteen detail works that explore the themes of migration and displacement, and five large-scale figurative works centered on the agave plant. The exhibition is accompanied by a social initiative that engages with young people in Hong Kong.

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Ling Yung: Body Lesson

• When: 13 Sep – 12 Oct 2024
• Where: Each Modern, Taipei

Ling Yung, a Taiwanese artist with a fashion background, is having her first solo exhibition in Taiwan. Known for her emotional and perceptive paintings, she uses figures, animals, and nature as inspiration. Her work is a mix of subtle feelings and mythical imagery, created with expressive lines, dynamic brushstrokes, and bright colors.

Yung’s paintings often explore themes of identity, memory, and the human experience. Her figures, whether human or animal, are often portrayed with a sense of vulnerability and introspection. The landscapes she depicts are often dreamlike and ethereal, suggesting a connection to the spiritual or subconscious.

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Jason Boyd Kinsella: Ghost in the Machine

• When: 30 Aug – 19 Oct 2024
• Where: Perrotin Seoul, Seoul

Jason Boyd Kinsella, a Canadian artist living in Oslo, is having a solo exhibition in Seoul titled “Ghost in the Machine.” His art delves into the complexities of the human mind and psychology, using a unique approach based on subjective perspectives and the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI).

Kinsella’s artistic process involves breaking down individual traits and personalities into geometric units, each representing a specific aspect of the psyche. These units are then combined to create intricate compositions that visually depict the unique characteristics of each person. By using various shapes, colors, and sizes, Kinsella effectively conveys the diversity and complexity of human individuality.

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Danielle Orchard: Mother of Gloom

• When: 12 Sep – 10 Nov 2024
• Where: Perrotin Tokyo, Tokyo

Orchard, a painter who studied in New York and now lives in Massachusetts, specializes in traditional oil painting. Her work is influenced by early-twentieth century Modernist artists, particularly Matisse, Picasso, and Léger. She often paints domestic scenes with flat spaces and monumental figures. While her work shows influences from these artists, it also draws inspiration from Paula Modersohn-Becker, a female artist who painted nude self-portraits, including while pregnant. Her work challenged the sexualized objectification of women that was common among her male peers.

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