As the new year begins, Guangdong's art scene is already buzzing with fresh energy. From royal jewelry to modern visual installations, January offers a variety of shows that promise to inspire, provoke thought, and spark creativity. Whether you're a long-time art lover or just seeking a new cultural experience, there's something on display for everyone this month.
Blossoms and Blades: Treasures of the Mughal Court in 16-19 Centuries
繁花與利劍：16-19世紀莫臥兒宮廷珍寶展
The exhibition presents nearly 200 artifacts from the Mughal Empire, one of South Asia's most powerful and culturally rich dynasties, which ruled from the early 16th to the mid-19th century. Founded by Central Asian conquerors of Turko-Mongol descent, the empire unified large parts of the Indian subcontinent and became a hub for art, trade, and cross-cultural exchange along the Silk Road.
All the artifacts are being displayed in China for the first time, and over ten pieces are making their global debut. Visitors can see royal weapons, ceremonial objects, intricate miniature paintings, jeweled accessories, palace furnishings, and richly patterned carpets. Immersive displays, custom lighting, and carefully designed exhibition spaces reveal the fine craftsmanship and opulent aesthetics of each piece, allowing audiences to experience the grandeur of the Mughal courts.
Highlights from the exhibition (Photo: Shenzhen Museum)
Event Details
Shenzhen
Date: December 5, 2025–April 6, 2026
Venue: Shenzhen Museum (Jintian Road Branch)
Hours: Tuesday to Sunday, 10:00–18:00 (last entry at 17:30; closed on Mondays, except public holidays)
Address: 4001 Jintian Road, Futian District
Tickets: Adult ¥78; Parent & Child Ticket (1 adult + 1 child aged 6–17) ¥98; Family Ticket (2 adults + 1 child aged 6–17) ¥130; Concession ¥40
Where to get tickets: Via the WeChat official account of "深圳博物馆" (pinyin: shen zhen bo wu guan)
Icelandic artist Sruli Recht's first solo exhibition in Asia - Lair: Relics for the Future
冰島藝術家Sruli Recht亞洲首展——墟溝：未來遺跡
Icelandic artist Sruli Recht, celebrated for his innovative approach to materials and design, brings a philosophical and tactile vision to Shenzhen. His work explores the intersection of nature, craft, and human desire, often transforming natural processes—like crystallization, water formation, and organic growth—into sculptural forms that blur the line between the natural and the man-made.
Highlights from the exhibition (Photo: Sea World Culture and Arts Center)
At LAIR: Relics for the Future, Recht presents nearly 70 works from his "Alternative Creatures" series, making its first full appearance in Asia. The exhibition unfolds across 11 interconnected zones where narrative, space, sound, scent, and light are woven together to guide visitors on a multi-sensory journey. From delicate, jewelry-like sculptures to monumental installations that capture natural phenomena in suspended time, each piece invites reflection on materiality, desire, and human perception.
This immersive exhibition challenges conventional display methods, encouraging audiences to move, observe, and engage emotionally with the artworks. It's a rare opportunity to experience contemporary art not just as a visual spectacle but as a living, thought-provoking environment where creativity, philosophy, and sensory experience converge in ways that are both intellectually stimulating and deeply captivating.
Highlights from the exhibition (Photo: Sea World Culture and Arts Center)
Event Details
Shenzhen
Date: December 6, 2025–March 3, 2026
Venue: L1, Sea World Culture and Arts Center
Hours:
Monday to Friday (including official make-up working days): 10:00–19:00
Saturday and Sunday (including national public holidays): 10:00–21:00
*Last entry 30 minutes before closing
Address: No.1187 Wanghai Road, Nanshan District
Tickets: Adult ¥148; Two-person ¥258; Concession ¥108
Where to get tickets: Via the WeChat official account of "海上世界文化艺术中心" (pinyin: hai shang shi jie wen hua yi shu zhong xin)