Art in the expanded field has prompted artworks to spill over beyond the walls of museums and galleries into non-traditional spaces. Ren Space is a historic residence located in Shanghai's cultural heritage precinct of Longmen Cun, established in 1905. Within the charming lilong (alley lane) home of the prominent Rong family, Ren Space has witnessed several iterations of transition over a century and was re-dedicated as a private art gallery in 2013.

Exuding the characteristic local charm that is distinctly Shanghainese, while retaining the sophistication of aristocratic ambience, the multi-storey structure hosts commissioned and site-specific works by China's leading conceptual artists. The current exhibition we will examine are new works by the renowned global artist Zhang Peili. Art Historian and Art Focus Convener Julie Chun will transport us through a unique spatio-temporal portal to inspire new ways of engaging with contemporary art as we discover the symbiosis that can occur when art converges with heritage architecture.