Building Bridges: A Life in China’s Art World Keystone Education Salon with UCCA’s Philip Tinari
Can bacterial growth, chemical reactions, and AI technology be considered contemporary art?
How should we understand and appreciate the multifaceted meanings of contemporary art?
What stage of development is Chinese contemporary art in?
In the eyes of some, contemporary art may appear obscure and difficult to approach. However, Philip Tinari, director of the UCCA Center for Contemporary Art (UCCA), believes we should not underestimate the audience’s understanding of contemporary art. “Today’s audience is intelligent and discerning, and art institutions need to consider how to establish an engaging interactive relationship with the audience, rather than adopting an aloof stance.”
Today, we invite you to bring your own “biases”, confusions, and questions about contemporary art to engage in an equal interaction and dialogue with Philip Tinari, one of the witnesses and promoters of the development of Chinese contemporary art.
In August 2002, when he first visited the 798 Art District, Philip Tinari did not know that he would soon become a significant force in advancing Chinese contemporary art.
From a foreign student studying in China captivated by contemporary art to working in auction houses and art institutions, to translating and editing art magazines, to becoming the founder of the contemporary art magazine LEAP, and then to assuming the role of UCCA director in 2011, Philip Tinari’s journey spanned less than a decade.
In 2007, UCCA was established in the 798 Art District. From the opening exhibition “’85 New Wave[AZ1] ” to tracing the artistic trajectories of 50 Chinese artists born in the 1980s, to continuously introducing influential and promising contemporary Chinese artists, UCCA has witnessed pivotal moments in Chinese contemporary art and has become a platform for us to trace the history of its development.
During Philip Tinari’s over 10 years as director of UCCA, he has guided the institution in building bridges between Chinese contemporary art and the world, while seeking a balance between public accessibility and scholarly depth. Beyond art exhibitions, UCCA has launched educational programs, public initiatives, and art publications. Through methodical development, UCCA has evolved into a deeply influential public art space in China and across the globe.
Following significant adjustments and transformations in recent years, UCCA, under Philip Tinari’s stewardship, has been instrumental in examining “the underpinnings of the contemporary[AZ2] (art)” through the curation and exhibition of works by modern masters. Exhibitions featuring luminaries such as Picasso, Andy Warhol, Duchamp, and Matisse have consistently brought world-class contemporary art to China, thereby expanding its presence among the Chinese public.
UCCA has been committed to the belief that art can deepen lives and transcend boundaries[AZ3] . With his expansive vision, deep academic background, and extensive research experience in Chinese contemporary art, Philip Tinari has helped UCCA cultivate a far-reaching influence and distinctive character.
Simultaneously, as a curator, Philip Tinari has made significant contributions to prestigious exhibitions worldwide.
He served as the co-curator of the major 2017 exhibition “Art and China after 1989: Theater of the World” at the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum in New York and as the artistic director of the inaugural Diriyah Contemporary Art Biennale in Saudi Arabia, which opened in 2021.
In curating world-class art exhibitions, Philip Tinari endeavors to foster dialogue and exchange between nations, showcasing the developmental journeys and landscapes of contemporary art in China and around the world.
Philip Tinari and UCCA have become inseparable entities, both essential to the evolution of contemporary art in China. Their contributions have enabled the Chinese public to gain a more objective, comprehensive, and nuanced understanding of both Chinese and international contemporary art. Consequently, contemporary art has become more accessible to the general public.
On April 14th, we are honored to welcome UCCA Director and CEO Philip Tinari to the 33rd Education Salon at Keystone Academy. He will discuss his artistic exploration, trace the development of Chinese contemporary art, and share his observations and reflections on contemporary art from his perspectives as UCCA Director and curator, beginning with an unfinished exhibition.
As the world undergoes significant transformations, it is crucial for us to maintain dialogue and continue asking questions. Keystone Education Salon: Building Bridges: A Life in China’s Art World featuring Philip Tinari awaits.
Event Information
｜Keynote Speaker｜
Philip Tinari
Director and CEO, UCCA Center for Contemporary Art (UCCA)
｜Date and Time｜
April 14, 2025
6:30 PM - 8:00 PM
&苍产蝉辫;｜痴别苍耻别｜
Keystone Performing Arts Center
&苍产蝉辫;｜尝补苍驳耻补驳别蝉｜
Chinese and English (Simultaneous interpretation will be provided)
｜搁别驳颈蝉迟谤补迟颈辞苍｜
Scan the QR code below
Seats are limited; please reserve your spot promptly.
About the Speaker
Philip Tinari is Director and Chief Executive of UCCA Center for Contemporary Art. Since joining UCCA in 2011, he has led its growth and transformation from a founder-owned private establishment into China’s premier institution of modern and contemporary art, operating across a constellation of four locations in Beijing, Shanghai, Beidaihe, and Yixing. His program has featured major Chinese and international artists including Cao Fei, William Kentridge, Luc Tuymans, and Xu Bing alongside emerging talents and historical figures such as Marcel Duchamp, Henri Matisse, Pablo Picasso, and Andy Warhol. Tinari co-curated the landmark exhibition “Art and China after 1989: Theater of the World” (2017) at the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum, and organized the inaugural Diriyah Biennale (2021) in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Born near Philadelphia in 1979, he has lived and worked in Beijing since 2006.
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In an era defined by speed and efficiency, amidst rapid technological advancements and the prevalence of pragmatism, in a time of intense competition and anxiety, we are in greater need of art than ever before.
Art, through its experimental spirit, explores existence and disappearance, reconstruction and collapse, gain and loss within specific contexts. Art is like a mirror, guiding us back to the essence and truth of things.
There are numerous rich perspectives and in-depth methods for interpreting contemporary art. We invite you to join Mr. Philip Tinari in this Education Salon for a dialogue and collaborative exploration.
[AZ1]https://ucca.org.cn/en/exhibition/85-new-wave-birth-chinese-contemporary-art/
[AZ2]https://ucca.org.cn/en/exhibition/picasso-birth-of-a-genius/
[AZ3]https://ucca.org.cn/en/about/
