5 Art biennales in Asia worth traveling to in 2018

Sarah Khan

26 Mar 2018

updated the 27 March 2018 à 11:29

1/5
Taipei Biennial (Taipei, Taiwain)
When: 17 November 2018 to 10 March 2018

Where: Taipei City Art Museum

The 11th edition of Taipei Biennale returns this year, with Wu Mabi and Vancesko. Manakda as co-curators. The exhibition explores the interplay between human and nature and aims to drive a "bottom up dialogue energy" on the issue through art as a medium.

Photo: Taipei Fine Arts Museum (Facebook)
2/5
Bangkok Art Biennale
When: 19 October 2018 to 3 February 2019

Where: In major venues across the city

The Bangkok Art Biennale 2018 marks the culturally and historically rich city's inaugural biennale. The exhibition will feature an impressive list of 75 artists hailing from 33 countries, all exploring the theme 'Beyond Bliss' and will take place across major venues across the city like the Chao Phraya River and Wat Arun, as well as iconic landmarks like the Bangkok Art and Culture Centre, The Em District and more.

Photo: Bangkok Art Biennale
3/5
Kochi-Muziris Biennale (Kochi, India)
When: 12 December 2018 to 19 March 2019

Where: Kerala, India

Indian contemporary artist Anita Dube has been named as the curator for the 4th edition of the Kochi-Muziris Biennale (KMB), opening December 2018 this year. This is true to the Biennale's tradition of curating its shows to be helmed by an artist. An art historian and critic, Dube is known for her politically-charged pieces, which certainly has us intrigued for what the exhibition has to offer this year as India's only Biennale.

Photo: Kochi-Muziris Biennale (Facebook)
4/5
Gwangju Art Festival
When: 7 September to 11 November 2018

Where: Gwangju Biennale Exhibition Hall and Asia Culture Centre

This year, the Gwangju Biennale exhibition aims to switch things up for its 12th edition by appointing a team of curators, instead of a single art director. To truly enjoy and explore a multifaceted approach to the art, they've defined various sub-themes to the exhibition in venue-specific locations.

Photo: Gwangju Biennale
5/5
Shanghai Biennale
When: 10 November 2018 to 10 March 2019

Where: Power Station of Art, Shanghai

The Shanghai Biennale is no doubt one of Asia's most influential biennales and showcases of contemporary art. Returning for its 12th edition this year, the exhibition will be curated by internationally-renowned art curator, critic and historican Cuauhtemoc Medina. The Biennale's location is certainly note-worthy as well; it will take place at the Power Station of Art, a sprawling 42,000 sq. m space that was formerly the Nanshi Power Plant.

Photo: Shanghai Biennale (Instagram)

Art buffs – this one’s for you.

If you thought 2017 was a rousing year for the art world, it certainly looks like 2018 is set to fall on a similar trajectory – if not busier and better.

Biennials are international showcases for contemporary art that take place every two years. While most of the previous year’s most prominent art affairs were centered in Europe, this year looks to be an exciting one for Asia.

For one, the Bangkok Art Biennale 2018 will make its inaugural debut in the city, featuring 75 artists from across 33 countries all exploring the theme of ‘bliss’. And then you have the longstanding players like the Shanghai Art Biennale, which returns for its 12th edition this year in the recently-renovated Nanshi Power Plant.

If you’re an art buff and are looking to sink your teeth in the best of contemporary art in different nooks and crannies of the the globe, check out our gallery above!

Sarah Khan

Yayoi who? 5 alternative art exhibitions to visit in Singapore

7 Of the world’s newest museum openings in 2018 to visit

For the Art-Lover: 8 Amazing female artists to follow on Instagram

For the Mamas: Could your personality affect your...