Belgian billionaire Guy Ullens, a key figure in promoting Chinese contemporary art, died at age 90. His death was announced by the Ullens Center for Contemporary Art (UCCA) in Beijing, which he founded in 2007 as one of China's first privately run contemporary art centers. The article also covers Art Basel Hong Kong, Art Dubai's digital art sales, Gallery Weekend Beijing's new invitation-only system, Bluerider Art's expansion to Los Angeles, the appointment of Ho Tzu Nyen as artistic director of the 16th Gwangju Biennale, the Turner Prize 2025 shortlist, the opening of New Taipei City Art Museum, and Saudi Arabia's new typefaces.
Ullens' death marks the loss of a major patron who helped establish Chinese contemporary art on the global stage. The broader news highlights Asia's growing art market influence, with developments in China, the Gulf region, and Korea, as well as institutional expansions and biennial appointments that signal shifting cultural power dynamics. The article underscores the increasing intersection of art, technology, and commerce across the region.