Didn’t Pace Beijing once stand as a pioneering beacon in Beijing’s 798 Art District? It was the first major Manhattan art gallery to establish a presence in the city back in 2008. Imagine the excitement as Pace Beijing opened its doors coinciding with the Summer Olympics.
Pace Gallery, the international art powerhouse, was founded by Arne Glimcher in Boston in 1960. The gallery is named after Glimcher’s father’s nickname, “Pacey”. Arne Glimcher partnered with Fred Mueller to bring the gallery to New York. It opened a location on East 57th Street with the help of Ivan Karp, a close friend of Glimcher’s.
Under the direction of Leng Lin, Pace Beijing showcased a diverse mix of American, European, and Asian artists. Pace Gallery has a unique history tracing back to its early support of artists central to the Abstract Expressionist and Light and Space movements. Pace Beijing played a crucial role in fostering artistic exchange.
However, times changed. By 2019, Pace Gallery closed its Beijing branch. Escalating tensions between the United States and China contributed to this decision. Arne Glimcher said it was impossible to do business in mainland China. Trump’s duty on Chinese artists entering the U.S. and Xi Jinping’s duty on Americans entering China added to the challenges.
A significant hurdle was the 38 percent luxury tax on art purchases within mainland China. Despite these challenges, Pace maintains an office and viewing room in Beijing. The gallery continues to operate in Hong Kong.
Since Pace opened in Beijing, Hong Kong has become a central art hub. Many Western galleries have set up shop there. The number of Chinese collectors exploded. Their taste shifted away from Chinese art toward international names.
Despite Pace Beijing’s closure, its impact on Beijing’s art scene remains significant. Its ticketed teamLab exhibition in 2017 showed the potential to cultivate a new audience. Though Pace Beijing is no longer here, remember that art still provides space for thinking and inspiration. Pace Beijing was a partner in the Pace/MacGill. From 1983 until 2019, Pace/MacGill maintained its standalone space at 32 East 57th Street before consolidating with Pace’s headquarters at 540 West 25th Street.