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Shanghai's Bank Gallery Evicted from State-Owned Building, Forced to Close After 2013 Launch

institutional · 2026-04-20

Bank gallery in Shanghai will shut down on 19 June 2016 after receiving an eviction notice from its state-owned building. The closure results from a new policy prohibiting private businesses from renting government-owned properties. Founded in 2013 by American curator Mathieu Borysevicz, the gallery presented exhibitions featuring both established and emerging artists. Its program included work by Xu Bing, Ai Weiwei, Zhang Enli, Paul McCarthy, and Isaac Julien, alongside younger talents like Geng Yini, Double Fly, and Chen Tianzhuo. Borysevicz confirmed the search for a new location where the gallery can maintain its alternative, anti-bling-bling ethos. The eviction was reported by The Art Newspaper, highlighting the impact of regulatory changes on Shanghai's art scene.

Key facts

  • Bank gallery in Shanghai is closing on 19 June 2016
  • The gallery received an eviction notice from its state-owned building
  • A new policy bans private businesses from renting state-owned properties
  • The gallery was founded in 2013 by American curator Mathieu Borysevicz
  • Exhibitions featured artists like Xu Bing, Ai Weiwei, Zhang Enli, Paul McCarthy, Isaac Julien
  • Emerging artists shown include Geng Yini, Double Fly, and Chen Tianzhuo
  • Borysevicz is seeking a new space to maintain an alternative ethos
  • The closure was reported by The Art Newspaper

Entities

Artists

  • Mathieu Borysevicz
  • Xu Bing
  • Ai Weiwei
  • Zhang Enli
  • Paul McCarthy
  • Isaac Julien
  • Geng Yini
  • Double Fly
  • Chen Tianzhuo

Institutions

  • Bank gallery
  • The Art Newspaper

Locations

  • Shanghai
  • China

Sources