Galleria Continua Celebrates 20 Years in Beijing's 798 Art District
In 2025, Galleria Continua marks its 20th anniversary in Beijing with the exhibition titled "Time knows the answer to art," held in the 798 Art District during Gallery Weekend. Established in 2005 by Mario Cristiani, Lorenzo Fiaschi, and Maurizio Rigillo, it became the first Italian gallery in the city, drawing inspiration from artist Chen Zhen. The gallery is situated in a 1,000-square-meter industrial space dating back to the 1950s. Throughout its two decades, it has showcased works by notable artists such as Ai Weiwei and Antony Gormley. Director Luna Peng Yongyi highlights the growing Chinese enthusiasm for Western art. The anniversary show, curated by Yu Ke, includes pieces by Zhuang Hui and Giovanni Ozzola, reaffirming the gallery's mission.
Key facts
- Galleria Continua opened in Beijing's 798 Art District in 2005.
- It was the first Italian gallery in the Chinese capital.
- The gallery was founded by Mario Cristiani, Lorenzo Fiaschi, and Maurizio Rigillo.
- The space is a restored 1,000 sqm industrial building from the 1950s.
- The inaugural exhibition in May 2005 featured 16 artists from five continents.
- Major past exhibitions include Ai Weiwei, Antony Gormley, Daniel Buren, Anish Kapoor, and Michelangelo Pistoletto.
- The anniversary exhibition 'Time knows the answer to art' opened during Gallery Weekend Beijing 2025.
- Director Luna Peng Yongyi states Chinese audiences are more receptive to Western art than Western collectors are to Chinese art.
- Italian artists Giovanni Ozzola and Loris Cecchini sell well in China.
- The gallery has collaborated with local museums on exhibitions across China.
Entities
Artists
- Mario Cristiani
- Lorenzo Fiaschi
- Maurizio Rigillo
- Chen Zhen
- Ai Weiwei
- Antony Gormley
- Daniel Buren
- Pascale Marthine Tayou
- Anish Kapoor
- Kader Attia
- Michelangelo Pistoletto
- Luna Peng Yongyi
- Zhuang Hui
- Giovanni Ozzola
- Loris Cecchini
- Sun Yuan & Peng Yu
- Tobias Rehberger
- Gu Dexin
- Kan Xuan
- Hans Op de Beeck
- Serse
- Qiu Zhijie
- Yu Ke
Institutions
- Galleria Continua
- Associazione Arte Continua
- 798 Art District
- Gallery Weekend Beijing
- West Bund Shanghai
- Powerlong
- Fosun Art Center Shanghai
- Fosun Foundation Chengdu
- Artribune
Locations
- Beijing
- China
- Shanghai
- Paris
- San Gimignano
- Italy
- Changsha
- Qingdao
- Chengdu