Design Shanghai Spotlights Collectible Design and Chinese Craftsmanship
Design Shanghai, Asia’s leading design fair, opens its doors tomorrow and will include a special exhibition around Collectible Design as well as a spotlight on Chinese craftsmanship. Design Shanghai is open between June 4-7, 2025.
With the growing global interest in Collectible Design, the 12th edition of Design Shanghai turns a spotlight onto this category of design that weaves in high-level craftsmanship with an original approach to object making. Materials are often an important element in a collectible design object – bringing expertise in noble and luxurious materials including marble, stone, glass and metal. Design Shanghai’s Collectible exhibition will showcase collectible art and design from 20 galleries, with works ranging from painting, sculpture, jewellery and design.
The exhibition will highlight the distinctive and rich heritage of Chinese craftsmanship through works by Wu Guanzhong (1919-2009), a pioneering Chinese painter who gained worldwide recognition for his landscape paintings which fused Western and Asian traditions into a modern and innovative way. Also connected to nature, yet in a completely different way are the geologic-like wall panels by Isaac Katz. These chrome sculptures are like natural rock formations that have been captured, frozen in time. Lacquer is an important material in Chinese culture and it has been used on design objects for centuries. Chengyan Lacquerware Studio will present a collection lacquer pieces that reflect the designers dedicated approach to making. This includes his Lingzhi cups that are inspired by a medicinal mushroom symbolising immortality in Eastern cultures. This lacquered vessel is crafted from raw lacquer, hemp cloth, and diatomaceous earth, and finished through meticulous polishing. Bringing in some post-modern fun to the exhibition is the Gaetano Pesce Estate, which will feature select iconic pieces from the Italian master. A highlight from the jewellery presentation is Song of Four Seasons, a stunning bracelet designed by Ye Chen. This 18K gold bracelet is set with jadeite in four hues — green, lavender, yellow, and white — symbolizing the changing seasons. It was originally presented at Art Basel Hong Kong in 2016.
Since its launch over 10-years ago, Design Shanghai has not only become an essential experience for brands and business around the world, but the event reflects how China has become a global powerhouse in design. From top domestic brands with international outposts to leading independent designers, Design Shanghai offers an important opportunity to highlight this growth and continued importance of design and craftsmanship in the country. “Over the past 12 years, Design Shanghai has pioneered Chinese design exhibitions, witnessing modern design development in China. During this time, the Chinese design industry has entered a vibrant and flourishing era, with numerous designers and brands emerging in the market and expressing their voices. As we endeavour to shape the ecosystem of Asian design exhibitions, Design Shanghai remains dedicated to the Chinese design industry and provides resolute support. This year, we continue to spearhead the industry, both as a trailblazer and a practitioner, leading the trends of modern design,” writes Zhuo Tan, Event Director, Design Shanghai.
One special exhibition taking place during Design Shanghai is ‘Made in Jingdezhen: Celebrating Jingdezhen’s Craftsmanship.’ This region in China has long been known as the ‘porcelain capital’ and in recent years, it has transformed into a creative mecca, not only for the spectacular porcelain, but in other mediums as well such as lacquer, glass and metalwork. Some of the local brands who will feature their work include Xun, which transforms waste porcelain into new materials for ceramics. Studio Bay, known for their distinctive handmade ceramics, and Ciireals, a studio that is deeply engaged with colour, texture and form in their work. Further demonstrating the talent of contemporary Chinese craftsmanship is ‘neooold’, the unique project started by Chen Min Office in 2020. Neoold has been a reference point for showcasing craft, design and art and this year, through the exhibition ‘Mass Wonders’ he has selected 20 emerging creatives from China, including Nanfang Studio, arclay, Natalie Song and ChenShujie Studio, to present their work. The theme of ‘Mass Wonders’ delves into the profound and serene beauty of handcrafted art that flourishes in tranquility, urging a return to our inner selves and a renewed focus on the essence of creation.
The 12th edition of Design Shanghai is a comprehensive and engaging platform for visitors to discover the latest trends from international brands, while also being able to discover and become enriched by the centuries of Chinese craftsmanship and its connection to contemporary design.
Design Shanghai is on view between June 4th-7th, 2025 at the Shanghai World Expo Exhibition & Convention Center. Visit their website for more details.
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