Forever Tomorrow: Chinese Art Now

'Forever Tomorrow: Chinese Art Now' explores the groundbreaking world of Chinese contemporary art with standout sculpture, photography, digital works and more.

02 May - 23 Aug, 2026

Members/ Children under 12: Free | Adults $22.50 - $32.50
Auckland Art Gallery | Toi o Tāmaki

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Words by Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tāmaki
Last updated 23 Mar 2026

Forever Tomorrow: Chinese Art Now explores the groundbreaking world of Chinese contemporary art with standout sculpture, photography, digital works and more. The exhibition resonates with our times, exploring themes of rapid change and societal shifts.

Spanning decades of artistic exchange since China’s Reform and Opening Up in 1978, the exhibition offers a captivating look at how a new generation of Chinese artists have responded to the seismic shifts in society – transitioning from rural to urban, traditional to modern, and industrial to global powerhouse.

The exhibition features a powerful selection of works from international heavyweights including Ai Weiwei, Xu Bing, Xu Zhen and Yang Fudong, alongside stunning pieces by cutting-edge artists making their New Zealand debut, including Lu Yang, Zhang Peili and 2024 Sigg Prize Winner Wang Tuo.

Forever Tomorrow: Chinese Art Now presents fresh takes on traditional Chinese crafts, imposing robotic sculptures and meditative digital landscapes. This exhibition reveals the complexity, innovation and bold vision of Chinese art today, inviting you to discover a dynamic and ever-evolving cultural landscape.

Tickets on sale now. Get 20% off the ticket price with early bird tickets from 23 March to 19 April 2026.

Please note that this exhibition contains nudity and sexual themes. See the FAQ section for more information.

The exhibition is proudly supported by the Auckland Art Gallery Foundation and New Zealand Government’s Events Boost Fund.

Image credit: Lu Pingyuan, The Best of the Best Draw – Doppelganger (detail), 2024 © Lu Pingyuan

Proudly part of the Auckland Council whānau

Location

Te wāhi

Auckland Art Gallery | Toi o Tāmaki

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Local tip

He tīwhiri mō te rohe

Recharge with a refreshing bite in the café or visit the shop for exquisite gifts crafted by local makers.

Getting there

Te huarahi ki reira

There is plenty of paid parking nearby or it’s a 15 min walk from Waitematā Station. There’s also a free tour in English tour every Tues, Weds, and Fridays at 1.30pm.

More info

He pārongo atu anō

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Tickets

Pricing

Adults (New Zealanders) $27.50

Adults (International tourists) $32.50

Members – FREE

Seniors and Community Card holders $22.50

Students (with Student ID) $22.50

Children 12 and under FREE

Please note, all children 14 and under must be accompanied by an adult.

How to book tickets

You can purchase your ticket online or at the Gallery's information desk on the ground level.

Please note, we’re operating a timed-entry system for this exhibition with entry available every 15 minutes. Your ticket gives you entry to the exhibition once and you may arrive up to 5 minutes after the time you have selected. Entry after this time will be at the Gallery’s discretion. There is no limit to the length of time you spend in the exhibition. The Gallery closes at 5pm daily.

If needed, you can change the date or time of your booking for free using the link sent with your online ticket purchase. Alternatively, you can call our Gallery team for assistance on +64 9 307 7700.

If you have pre-booked your ticket online, you can head straight to the exhibition on Level 1 to validate your ticket for entry.

Early bird ticket special

Get 20% off the ticket price with early-bird tickets from 23 March to 19 April 2026.

More information

Prices include GST. Online credit card fees are additional to the admission price.

There is no entry charge for children aged 12 or under, however you will need to select a free child ticket type when booking in advance online. Please note all children aged 14 or under must be accompanied by an adult.

Auckland Art Gallery Members go free. To guarantee entry at your preferred time, please book a free Member ticket online in advance. Alternatively, present your membership card at our information desk on the day of your visit and you will be issued a ticket to the exhibition as soon as possible. Members have priority but please note that there might be a wait time when the exhibition is at capacity.

Join us as a Member on the same day as your visit to Forever Tomorrow and we’ll refund the price of your exhibition ticket. Members receive a range of benefits, including free unlimited entry to paid exhibitions, invitations to Members-only events, access to the Members lounge, and discounts in our shop and café. Ask us for more information while on your visit to the exhibition.

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