Bank Gallery Shanghai director on reopening after COVID-19 lockdown

Mathieu Borysevicz, founder and director of Bank Gallery in Shanghai, discusses the gallery's reopening after China's COVID-19 lockdown. The gallery, founded in July 2013 and housed in the former Bank Union Building near the Bund, reopened to the public in late April 2020. During the closure, which coincided with Chinese New Year, the gallery launched an online group show 'Pure Beauty' that garnered media attention and sales. It also joined the online sales platform Artsy to boost digital presence. A new exhibition featuring artist Geng Yini opened on May 9. Borysevicz, stranded in Thailand since border closures, manages operations remotely. He notes that virtual engagement remains crucial for reaching international clients and that resources previously spent on opening parties are now redirected to online promotion. He views art as a refuge during the pandemic, providing comfort and reflection.