On January 9, 2026, the “Flying Kiwi” New Zealand Contemporary Art Exhibition opened at the 798 International Art Exchange Center in the 798 Art District, Chaoyang District, Beijing. The exhibition was hosted by the Publicity and Culture Center of Chaoyang District, Beijing, and jointly guided by the Management Committee of the Beijing Chaoyang National Cultural Industry Innovation Experimental Zone, the New Zealand-China Friendship Association, and the New Zealand Embassy in China; and co-organized by the New Zealand-China Investment and Trade Promotion Association, the Auckland International Art Space Museum, and the Beijing Chaoyang District Association for International Cultural Exchange. The exhibition aims to build a bridge for cultural exchange between China and New Zealand through art, presenting audiences with an artistic visual feast full of South Pacific charm.
Inspired by the kiwi, New Zealand’s national bird, the exhibition brings together 48 representative works by 18 contemporary New Zealand artists, encompassing various forms including painting, sculpture, and installation art. Highlights include SWEATS’ “Face to Face,” FLOX’s “Royal Crane in Motion,” and Maori artist Jimmy James Kouratoras’ “Tiki” series. Among these, a collaborative work by New Zealand artist Jamie Boynton and Chinese artist Liu Zhong, themed around the Chinese panda “Hehe” and the New Zealand bar-tailed wood pigeon “Meimei,” symbolizes the harmony and fusion of Chinese and New Zealand cultures. Additionally, the magical realism artwork by Brazilian immigrant artist Fernando evokes the styles of Picasso and Dalí. The entire exhibition is rich in the diversity and contemporary flair of New Zealand art, offering a uniquely exotic and highly artistic experience.
At the opening ceremony of the exhibition, Mr. Feng Zhiming, member of the Standing Committee of the Chaoyang District Committee of Beijing and Minister of Publicity, Mr. Li Chunlei, deputy director of the Chaoyang District Publicity and Culture Center of Beijing, Mr. Du Lei, second-level inspector of the Beijing Municipal Bureau of Commerce, Ms. Si Aili, deputy head of the New Zealand Embassy, Mr. Zong Yuan, chairman of the New Zealand-China Investment and Trade Promotion Association, and Mr. Gan Xuejun, honorary president of the Beijing Auction Industry Association and chairman of Beijing Huachen Auction Co., Ltd., attended the opening ceremony and delivered speeches.
Ms. Aili, Deputy Head of Mission at the Embassy of New Zealand
Mr. Zong Yuan, Chairman of the New Zealand-China Investment and Trade Promotion Association
Mr. Gan Xuejun, Honorary President of Beijing Auction Industry Association and Chairman of Beijing Huachen Auction Co., Ltd.
Ms. Zhao Ling, CEO of Auckland International Art Space, presided over the opening ceremony and invited participating guests, including Mr. Yang Jian, Chairman of the China Region of the New Zealand China Investment and Trade Promotion Association; Mr. Wang Zhicheng, Chairman of Beijing Songyigong International Culture and Art Development Co., Ltd.; Ms. Fan Meili, Chairman of Xi’an Meilitianyuan Cultural Tourism Co., Ltd. and Huajian New Zealand Contemporary Art Space; Ms. Song Zheng, representative of China Arts and Entertainment Group; as well as leaders from various departments of Chaoyang District and representatives of New Zealand businesses, to draw prizes for the visitors attending the exhibition and present them with New Year’s gifts from New Zealand.
Ms. Zhao Ling, CEO of Auckland International Art Space
Mr. Du Lei, Second-Level Inspector of Beijing Municipal Bureau of Commerce
Mr. Li Chunlei, Member of the Party Committee and Deputy Director of the Publicity and Culture Center of Chaoyang District, Beijing
Mr. Shen Guoying and Mr. Feng Zhiming, Standing Committee Member and Publicity Minister of the Chaoyang District Committee of Beijing
Mr. Wang Zhicheng, Chairman of Beijing Songyigong International Culture and Art Development Co., Ltd., and Mr. Gan Xuejun, Honorary President of Beijing Auction Industry Association and Chairman of Beijing Huachen Auction Co., Ltd.
Ms. Fan Meili, Chairperson of Xi’an Meili Tianyuan Cultural Tourism Co., Ltd., Ms. Si Aili, Deputy Head of Mission of the New Zealand Embassy, and Ms. Zhao Ling, CEO of Auckland International Art Space
Ms. Si Aili, Deputy Head of Mission of the New Zealand Embassy; Ms. Zhao Ling, CEO of Auckland International Art Space; Ms. Zhao Xi, Policy Officer of the Embassy; and Ms. Song Zheng, representative of China Arts and Entertainment Group.
Mr. Ma Jun, Party Secretary and Director of the Publicity and Culture Center of Chaoyang District, Beijing; Ms. Yao Wei, founder of the Beijing Urban Art Fair ; and Mr. Zong Yuan, founder of the Auckland International Art Space and Chairman of the New Zealand-China Investment and Trade Promotion Association.
2026 marks the 20th anniversary of the establishment of sister city relations between Beijing and Wellington, the two capital cities.
This exhibition represents an important collaboration between New Zealand and China in the field of cultural and artistic exchange. It not only promotes the dissemination and mutual learning of artistic concepts but also injects new vitality into friendly exchanges between the people of China and New Zealand, marking a significant milestone!
The exhibition will be held from January 9th to 15th at the 798 International Art Exchange Center in Beijing’s 798 Art District.
▌Exhibition Information
Exhibition period
2026/01/08-01/15
Opening ceremony
2026/01/09/15:00
Exhibition Venue: 798 International Art Exchange Center, Chaoyang District, Beijing
Venue / 798 International Art Exchange Center, Chaoyang District, Beijing
Supervisory unit
Publicity and Culture Center of Chaoyang District, Beijing
Communication and Culture Center of Beijing Chaoyang District
Beijing Chaoyang National Cultural Industry Innovation Experimental Zone Management Committee
Beijing Chaoyang National Cultural Industry Innovation Experiment Zone Administrative Committee
Organizer
New Zealand China Investment and Trade Promotion Association
New Zealand-China Investment and Trade Promotion Association
Auckland International Art Space Museum
Ai International Art Gallery
Beijing Chaoyang District Association for International Cultural Exchange
Beijing Chaoyang International Cultural Exchange Association
Supporting unit
New Zealand China Friendship Association
New Zealand China-New Zealand Friendship Association
Cultural Section of the Embassy of New Zealand in Beijing
The Cultural Section of the Embassy of New Zealand in Beijing
Organizing unit
Beijing New Zealand Centre for Contemporary Art
Beijing New Zealand Contemporary Art Center
Beijing Songyigong International Culture and Art Development Co., Ltd.
Co-organizer
Xi’an Hanami – New Zealand Contemporary Art Centre
Xi ‘an Huajian – New Zealand Contemporary Art Center
Xi’an Beautiful Countryside Cultural Tourism Co., Ltd.
Xi ‘an Meili Tianyuan Cultural Tourism Co., LTD
Brand Partner
New Zealand Jiejing Organic Tea Estate
New Zealand Jiejing Organic Tea Estate
New Zealand Manukau Honey Company Limited
New Zealand Manucao Honey Co., LTD
FLOX Art Studio, New Zealand
FLOX Art Studio in New Zealand
Beijing Longteng Bafang Food Co., Ltd.
Talley’s Group Limited
Swan Estate Winery
Auswan Creek Wines
Murdoch Winery
William Murdoch Wines
Murdoch Winery
William Murdoch Wines
