ART LABOR is a contemporary gallery located in the former French Concession area of central Shanghai, opened by Canadian director Martin Kemble, with an independent and international program, and a real concern for our artists and their work. Our emphasis is on originality and high quality of production in all media, with ethical representation and marketing. We are based in Shanghai because it is fast becoming the center of artistic creation and financial power in Asia.

At ART LABOR we are curious about Shanghai’s new identity. Our main objective is to promote the artistic pursuit of answers to what this identity is and what it will become. ART LABOR supports artists who do not necessarily require a national identity, a label on their production, artists which are comfortable or uncomfortable in their own skin, equals in any artistic scene in the world today.

Because we love China, we decided to set up our self-funded gallery in Shanghai! However, at ART LABOR we see our artists first and simply as artists, free of national brand. We intend to exhibit original works and bring some fresh air into a climate where art has become a bit overly familiar and obvious to the habituated observer of the Chinese art scene.

The artists we represent are approximately half Chinese and half of other countries… British, Austrian, Canadian, Japanese, etc. We seek artists making truly original and meaningful work, whether intellectually, emotionally effecting or simply aesthetically pleasing.

Aside from our modifiable gallery space, we have a 300 m2 artist residence and work space in the suburbs of the city, and will assist artists from all over the world to live and create in Shanghai. We are currently accepting submissions. Please email with jpegs.