Songzhuang offers respite from 798 commercialism
Part gallery, part garden, part home, Songzhuang Artist Village Gallery is a Beijing rarity, a gallery started by the artists themselves.

In contrast to the ruthless commercialism that drives Chinese contemporary art, the Artist Village Gallery is a natural growth. Artist Yan Yu and his wife Sally started coming here 10 years ago, first for weekend outings with other artists, then later to live full time. In 2003, they built a home, complete with studio and gallery, and opened the Songzhuang Artist Village Gallery.

More a mee-ting place for local artists than a commercial space, guests enter through the garden, filled with fruit trees and flowers, imports and plants that Liu has picked up in her treks to the mountains around Beijing. “They grow well, they’re native to this region. That little patch of white flowers came from Germany, and last year they thrived, but this year there are only a few,” she says, shaking her head.

Perhaps what is most idyllic about the space is the value of art over commerce. “Of course the artists have to prove themselves, make good work and saleable work. But sometimes, we display works from someone who we can’t sell, because other artists appreciate it. Take this one, for example.” Liu gestures at Xue Hai’s painting of a gloomy, shadowy face. “This painting’s too dark for most people to want in their homes, but the other artists who’ve seen it think it’s brilliant. He captures a mood, a certain depth of emotion, on the canvas.”

Art is king here. In the gallery, an oil by Guan Yong hangs like a grim, Machiavellian self-portrait. “Someone offered to buy it the other day, but it’s not for sale. We sold all his other works, but we want to keep this one. To see so many good artworks pass through your gallery and keep none of it for yourself, that would be such a pity,” Liu explains.

“Songzhuang’s naturally formed,” intimates Liu. “No one organized it. It just came out of the artists. The artists live better than they did before. They can build a house here, released from the day-to-day pressures of the city. I’m pretty satisfied with my life out here, and I enjoy watching my son grow up every day.”

Sandra Chen

Artist Village Gallery
Tel: 6959-8343
Web: http://www.artistvillagegallery.com
Add: No.1, North Renzhuang Cun, Songzhuang,Tongzhou
When: Open daily by appointment