The 4th Guardian Art Book Fair Opens Grandly at Guardian Art Center, Beijing

On April 22, 2025, the 4th Guardian Art Book Fair officially opened at Guardian Art Center in Beijing. As a premier platform for showcasing and exchanging ideas around art book publishing and the culture of book collecting, this year’s fair has undergone a comprehensive upgrade in scale and content. The 3,200-square-meter venue hosts three major sections: Book Fair, Book Collecting Culture Exhibition, and Cultural Creativity Carnival.

PART 01 BOOK FAIR SECTION

The Book Fair section brings together nearly 100 art publishers, brands, art institutions, and independent bookstores, presenting a curated selection of outstanding titles from China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, and overseas. This year, the concept of a “reading list” is transformed into a curatorial and exhibition language. Thematic zones include "Sowing Art into Spring," "My Little Books," "Time-Space Treasure Box," and "The Vanished ‘She’", alongside the special feature "Wu Hung’s Three Books".

The highlight of this section, Wu Hung’s Three Books, draws on three of the renowned art historian’s works—Baoji 豹迹(Traces of the Leopard), Ouyu 偶遇(Chance Encounters), and Shengdong 生动(Lifelike). The exhibition invites visitors into his unique world of “visual wandering,” where text and objects interact to reflect deep insights on image, memory, and history.

Recommendation from Prof. Wu Hung

The fair also highlights art books from Hong Kong, Taiwan, and overseas, showcasing cultural richness and geographic diversity. A special Embassy Zone features recommendations from six different countries. The Lifestyle Aesthetics area blends philosophy, lifestyle, and art publications, while the BookArt space reimagines the aesthetics of reading through art installations.

PART 02 SPECIAL EXHIBITION: THE CULTURE OF BOOK COLLECTING

This year’s special exhibition continues its focus on bookbinding and design with two major exhibitions: The Wanderer Qin Long and 75 Years of Book Design at Joint Publishing (Hong Kong).

The Wanderer Qin Long presents over 300 original illustrations, sketchbooks, and creative archives, exploring four themes: mythology, foreign classics, modern Chinese literature, and artistic narratives—a feast of literature and visuals.

75 Years of Book Design at Joint Publishing (Hong Kong) traces the evolution of book design since 1948, showcasing how visual language captures the spirit, aesthetics, and atmosphere of each era.

PART 03 CULTURAL CREATIVITY CARNIVAL

Located on the second floor, the Cultural Creativity Carnival is a brand-new addition to the fair, offering exhibitions, shopping, and interactive experiences. Hall A features cultural products from leading Chinese museums, while Hall B offers an internationally inspired creative playground filled with surprises.

EVENT INFORMATION

The 4th Guardian Art Book Fair

Dates: April 23 to April 27, 2025 (Wednesday to Sunday), 10:00–18:00

Venue: Guardian Art Center, 1F & 2F Exhibition Halls, No. 1 Wangfujing Street, Dongcheng District, Beijing

Special Recommendation by the Deputy Ambassador of the Australian Embassy in China

Special Recommendation by the Ambassador of Ireland to China