Art exhibitions

Tatsuya Miyanishi

Don’t miss out on the extraordinary “Tatsuya Miyanishi’s World of Wonders” exhibition, running through Aug. 27. With Miyanishi’s whimsical illustrations and rich storytelling, visitors will be transported to magical realms and be introduced to fascinating characters.

Venue: OCT Art and Design Gallery, Nanshan District (华•美术馆)

Metro: Line 1 to OCT Station (华侨城站), Exit C

‘Sanxingdui Unveiled’

The “Sanxingdui Unveiled” exhibition, running until Sept. 17, invites visitors to have a close look at Sanxingdui’s relics presented in ultra-HD images and videos taken in 12K macro photography.

Venue: MixC World, Nanshan District (华润万象天地)

Metro: Line 1 to Hi-tech Park Station (高新园站), Exit A

‘Dunhuang’

The “Dunhuang Light and Shadow Art” exhibition, running until Aug. 31, utilizes digital art techniques to present Dunhuang frescoes, dances, musical instruments, statues and history in a new and enchanting way, creating a magnificent and dreamlike Dunhuang world.

Venue: OCAT Shenzhen, south area, OCT-LOFT, Nanshan District (华侨城创意文化园南区OCAT深圳馆)

Metro: Line 1 to Qiaocheng East Station (侨城东站), Exit A

Electronic art

Lin Xi, a young artist engaged in electronic disassembly art, is exhibiting her works at a new exhibition running until Oct. 18. She tears apart used electronic products and then presents the components in an artistic way, which has gained her popularity on Douyin.

Venue: HQB Museum, Futian District (华强北博物馆)

Metro: Line 2 or 7 to Huaqiang North Station, Exit A

‘Cézanne’

The digital exhibitions of French post-Impressionist painter Paul Cézanne (1839-1906) are being held at two places. On display are digital projections of Cézanne’s masterpieces portraying his beloved landscapes of Provence, his melancholic portraits and still life paintings.

Venue 1: Coastal City, Nanshan District (海岸城购物中心)

Dates: Until Aug. 10

Metro: Line 2 or 11 to Houhai Station (后海站), Exit B

Venue 2: Pingshan Exhibition Gallery, Pingshan District (坪山展览馆)

Dates: Until Aug. 31

Metro: Line 14 to Pingshan Square Station (坪山广场站), Exit D1

Traditional roots, contemporary vision in art exhibition

The “Traditional Chinese Culture and Contemporary Art Creation Exhibition” at the Shenzhen Museum of Contemporary Art and Urban Planning showcases traditional Chinese art and craft in a contemporary context.

On display are over 100 creations crafted by 32 artists using various materials such as jade, lacquer, ceramic and metals. Visitors will also come across pieces that incorporate unconventional materials. For instance, there is a broken plate that initially appears to be fashioned from blue-and-white porcelain. Upon closer inspection, however, one would discover that it is actually skillfully constructed using wool and felt, exemplifying the ingenious creativity exhibited throughout the exhibition.

The artists featured at the exhibition have employed innovative forms, conducting diverse and multi-perspective artistic explorations. Artist Tan Xun utilized old aluminum basins to craft captivating works. These basins, once commonly found in Chinese households, have now embraced a fresh, contemporary twist.

The exhibition, themed “Root in Profound Culture, Lead Influential Spirit of Era, Commit to Artistic Masterwork, Explore With Sublime Pursuit,” presents a captivating juxtaposition of elegant realism and intriguing abstract expression, as well as the charming fusion of traditional Chinese culture and contemporary art.

Supported by the China National Arts Fund and organized by the Central Academy of Fine Arts (CAFA), the exhibition was curated by CAFA professors Wang Shaojun, Zhang Wei and Wu Yongping and held in Beijing and Shanghai before the Shenzhen stop. CAFA organizes the exhibition tour not only to present the exploration of contemporary Chinese culture, but also to showcase the academy’s educational and artistic innovation experiences over the years.

Dates: Until Sept. 3

Hours: 10 a.m.-6 p.m., closed Mondays

Tickets: Free

Booking: WeChat account “深圳市当代艺术与城市规划馆”

Venue: Shenzhen Museum of Contemporary Art and Urban Planning, Futian District (深圳市当代艺术与城市规划馆)

Metro: Line 3 or 4 to Children’s Palace Station (少年宫站), Exit A2

Be captivated in Miyanishi's world of wonders

Don't miss out on the extraordinary “Tatsuya Miyanishi’s World of Wonders” exhibition this summer. With over 200 whimsical illustrations from 57 books by Tatsuya Miyanishi, visitors will be transported to magical realms and be introduced to fascinating characters.

Miyanishi graduated from the Nihon University’s College of Art and was a doll artist and graphic designer before writing and illustrating children’s books. His books have a passionate fan base from all ages that enjoys his range of endearing characters in many genres, from superheroes to dinosaurs.

His distinctive style incorporates vibrant illustrations and engaging storytelling that captivate young readers. His books often combine elements of adventure, humor and educational content, particularly focusing on themes related to prehistoric times. The T-Rex character, known for its big, lovable personality, has become a beloved figure in Japanese children’s literature.

Miyanishi’s books have received numerous awards and accolades, including the Kodansha Cultural Award for Children’s Picture Books and the Kenbuchi Picture Book Grand Prize. His works have been widely translated into different languages and have gained international recognition for their appeal to children around the world.

Dates: Until Aug. 27

Hours: 10 a.m.-6 p.m., closed Mondays

Tickets: 68 yuan per person, 108 yuan for two persons, 148 yuan for three persons

Venue: OCT Art and Design Gallery, Nanshan District (华•美术馆)

Metro: Line 1 to OCT Station (华侨城站), Exit C

Two exhibitions with visually stunning imagery and highly energetic objects offer an engaging experience for visitors to the Sea World Culture and Arts Center in Shekou.

Philip Colbert

British artist Philip Colbert is showcasing his lobster artworks at “The Myth of the Lobster Planet” exhibition. His works, including sculptures, giant installations, paintings, industrial designs and new media artworks, promise to bewitch art enthusiasts with their imaginative interpretations.

Colbert’s artistic style is characterized by vibrant colors and a whimsical fusion of pop art, surrealism and cultural references. His playful and irreverent approach to art reflects a commentary on consumerism, mass media and the impact of popular culture on contemporary society.

When one examines Colbert’s works, the first thing that stands out is his cartoon lobster persona. He once explained that he identifies lobsters as symbols of surrealism, influenced by Dalí’s “Lobster Telephone.” “In the Dutch still-life period, lobsters were very iconic in table scenes. In a lot of ancient Greek and Roman mosaics, lobsters were also featured fighting octopuses. There is an amazing history of lobsters in art. I’m just combining my passion for both art history and surrealism to create a persona that offers me freedom to explore,” he said.

Colbert’s practice evokes the style of his pop art forebears such as Andy Warhol and Roy Lichtenstein, while also paying homage to other influential figures across the Western art historical canon including Vincent van Gogh, Anthony Van Dyck and contemporary artist George Condo, to name a few.

Dates: Until Oct. 15

Tickets: 88 yuan

James Jean

Contemporary artist James Jean, who designed a poster for Michelle Yeoh’s movie “Everything Everywhere All at Once,” is exhibiting his awe-inspiring paintings, sculptures, installations, drafts and research works at the “Eternal Spiral III” exhibition.

Jean is known for his imaginative illustrations which showcase meticulously rendered artworks. He often incorporates elements of fantasy, mythology, nature and the human form into his pieces, creating dreamlike and surreal compositions. His work often features a harmonious balance between organic and abstract elements, with a strong emphasis on intricate linework, and vibrant colors.

Within his artworks, he fuses contemporary subjects with aesthetic techniques inspired by traditional Chinese scroll paintings, Japanese woodblock prints and Renaissance masterpieces. For example, his “Stampede” painting is inspired by Giuseppe Castiglione’s “One Hundred Horses” and Leonardo da Vinci’s “The Battle of Anghiari.” The lines tinged with phthalo blue ink and the wash effect in the painting evoke the glaze on Chinese porcelain. The bold and vigorous lines and brushstrokes that span the composition are imbued with strength and energy. Another two of his paintings are inspired by Théodore Géricault’s “The Raft of the Medusa” painting and the fairy tale “Jack and the Beanstalk,” respectively.

Jean’s art has been featured in various mediums, including book covers, album covers, fashion collaborations and gallery exhibitions. His distinctive style and creative vision have gained him a recognition around the world.

Dates: Until Nov. 17

Tickets: 128 yuan

Venue: Sea World Culture and Arts Center, Nanshan District (海上世界文化艺术中心)

Metro: Line 2 or 12 to Sea World Station (海上世界站), Exit A