With his proficiency in Chinese, the writer and curator then went on to build bridges between the domestic and international art scenes at UCCA by introducing Western art to China and taking contemporary Chinese art to the world.

He began work on the inaugural exhibition at UCCA Edge despite its ongoing construction in August. Even with complications brought by the COVID-19 pandemic, the project was completed in less than two years since its announcement in November 2019.

Tinari says it was a natural process for UCCA to expand to Shanghai, citing the artistic ecology of the city as a major pull factor.

"We hope to grow into an institution that serves all China, and Shanghai is for sure the first step out of Beijing," he said at the opening ceremony.