The best art exhibitions in Beijing this July

The best exhibitions and art events in Beijing this month

Our pick of the best art events and exhibitions on in Beijing this July. Some are on all month, while some are one-off events, so make sure you don't miss your chance to see some of the most talented names in contemporary art while they're showing in the capital.

Joan Cornellà

Parkview Green Art 798. Until Jul 28. 65RMB (presale)

'For me personally, it is fiction what allows me to laugh. Reality is quite creepy.' Spanish illustrator, cartoonist and artist Joan Cornellà is best known for his dark and surreal comedic comic strips that make clever, if a little absurd (and sometimes even offensive) social commentaries, and has amassed a huge social media following of nearly seven million. After a string of Asia exhibitions in recent years, this is his first Beijing solo show.

Xu Bing: Thought and Method

UCCA. Jul 21-Oct 18. 60RMB

Globally renowned for his conceptual and installation pieces, Xu Bing creates a space where viewers can immerse themselves within his world. Xu brings his keen observation skills to bear as he displays his unique insight, encompassing both a reflection on traditional East Asian culture as well as a nuanced view of contemporary societal changes.

Michelangelo Pistoletto: Oltre Lo Specchio

Galleria Continua. Until Oct 21. Tickets tbc

The Italian painter and object artist returns to Beijing with a stunning new exhibition exploring themes of division and multiplication, accumulation and exclusion through the use of mirrors.

Shang Yang, Wang Chuan, Yan Shanchun: A State of Mind

Chambers Fine Art. Until Aug 12. Tickets tbc

Despite all being born during the '40s and '50s, artists Shang Yang, Wang Chuan and Yan Shanchun have forged notably distinct paths in response to China's '85 New Wave movement, yet share a similar interest in painter Cy Twombly's extensive oeuvre. This exhibition displays the latest work from these artists and explores their affinity for the American artist.

Hello, My Name is Paul Smith

Today Art Museum. Until Oct 7. 120RMB (weekend); 90RMB (weekdays)

From his company’s modest beginnings in Nottingham to its international prominence today, this exhibition showcases Paul Smith’s intuitive take on design, and the British fashion designer's journey in building his brand, as well as his evolving stylistic tastes.

Intersection: International Art and Culture

Arthur M Sackler Museum of Art and Archaeology. Until Aug 27. Free

In celebration of the 25th anniversary of the Arthur M Sackler Museum of Art and Archaeology and the 120th anniversary of Peking University, the Sackler Museum is hosting two concurrent exhibitions showcasing contemporary artists from around the globe, including Nicolas Herrera, Bao Pei, Frieder Nake and loads more.

Olafur Eliasson: The unspeakable openness of things

Red Brick Contemporary Art Museum. Until Aug 12. 160RMB; 120RMB (weekdays)

A retrospective of Olafur Eliasson's most iconic works, The unspeakable openness of things is the revered Icelandic-Danish artist's first solo show in Beijing. Encompassing Red Brick Museum's eight exhibition halls, visitors will journey through a series of large-scale immersive installations – including Eliasson's seminal work The blind pavilion – which playfully explore light, mist, geometry and illusion.

For more art exhibitions in Beijing, hit 'Read more'.

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