TAIPEI (Taiwan News) – Taipei Dangdai 2025 offers a compelling glimpse into the global art marketand is set to take place at Taipei Nangang Exhibition Center from May 9-11.
Taipei Dangdai's sixth edition gathers 53 galleries from 24 nations, marking a contraction in exhibitor numbers over the past three years (90 in 2023, 78 in 2024). However, international galleries maintain a strong 82% presence, complemented by 17% from Taiwan and notable showings from Japan, South Korea, and Hong Kong.
According to the recent Art Basel and UBS Global Art Market Report, art fairs remain vital for dealer-buyer connections, second only to direct gallery engagement and referrals. The report also indicated a robust global art market with NT$1.7 trillion (US$57.5 billion) in sales last year, fueled by a rising number of new buyers. It commented 44% of buyers contributed to 38% of sales, a 5% increase from 2023.
This year's fair features international blue-chip galleries. Almine Rech, the Parisian powerhouse founded by Picasso’s granddaughter-in-law, brings works by pop art pioneer Tom Wesselmann, Vietnamese modern master Mai-Thu, and conceptual art icon Joseph Kosuth, underscoring its global contemporary art influence.
Galerie Karsten Greve showcases a trans-historical array of influential artists, from Louise Bourgeois and John Chamberlain to Art Brut proponent Jean Dubuffet.
Galerie Karsten Greve's highlights include Chamberlain’s "Swelling,” a vibrant metal sculpture inspired by sandwiches, transforming industrial waste into abstract poetry. Another key piece is Cy Twombly’s "Muse," a work blending calligraphy, graffiti, and abstract expressionism with rich poetic and historical undertones.
Galleria Continua presents street artist JR, Arte Povera luminary Michelangelo Pistoletto, and acclaimed sculptor Anish Kapoor.
Kaikai Kiki Gallery, spearheaded by Murakami Takashi, a key figure in contemporary Japanese art, debuts Nakazawa Shoko’s new custom Byron polystone figure series.
Adding a curated perspective, Taipei Dangdai’s partner, UBS, presents a selection from its collection centered on the theme of "Line," featuring the textile and craft-based explorations of identity, gender, and environment by South Korean artist Ham Kyungah and Swiss artist Franziska Furter.
Additionally, the fair includes a screening of Taiwanese digital artist Li Yi-Fan's (李亦凡) works, "Embody," a debut sector exploring contemporary art's intersection with craftsmanship.
Noteworthy gallery highlights feature Each Modern's curated international art for collectors, Michael Ku Gallery's showcase of Luo Jr-shin's (羅智信) material experiments, Lin & Lin Gallery's intergenerational artists, and gdm Taipei's focus on Alison Nguyen's exploration of war's legacy.
Complementing the art, Le Meridien Taipei will offer a unique "tipsy art encounter" for the fair, blending gourmet food, cocktails, and coffee.
Taipei Dangdai 2025 highlights. (Taiwan News, Lyla Liu video)
