The current vogue for performance art might be attributed to recessionary times and disillusion with the art market. But for Chinese artists performance art has different implications. Chinese artists such as Yingmei Duan and Gu Dexin regard the creative process and the performative act as the decisive components in their work. This discussion includes Yingmei Duan and looks at performance work and the political context in which the works are created.

Hayward Gallery and social ping pong pioneers Pongathon challenge you to a ping pong game with a difference. Two players team up to challenge artist Wang Jianwei's table by attempting the longest rally within 60 seconds.

Watch our short video to find out more

Please note there is a limited number of free tickets available for this event, so early booking is recommended.

The concept of ‘Shanzai’ in Chinese contemporary art explodes the Western idea of ‘originals’ and ‘fakes’. By stressing the significance of ‘ongoing creation’ – works of art in China are progressively developed from the original and change over time. This event focuses on the work of artists MadeIn Company and Sun Yuan and Peng Yu, and looks at the act of ‘post-creation’ as adding value to a work of art.

Visit the latest Hayward Gallery exhibition away from the crowds, and enjoy a private tour.

This talk looks at the way visual artists document contemporary China through conceptual and performance art and asks film-makers to discuss their practice using the camera. Novelist and film-maker Xiaolu Guo joins Katie Hill, director of OCCA, Office of Contemporary Chinese Art and lecturer in modern and contemporary Chinese art at Sotheby's Institute of Art, London.  How does the current political climate in China, where censorship is still widespread, affect the artistic decisions that are made?

Join artist Yingmei Duan on a journey through Chinese fables as she explores the role of nature and animals in traditional folk tales.

Meet different characters including farmers, dragons and pandas, and experience the traditional Chinese landscape of mountains and rivers. Contribute to a shared artwork and learn some Chinese words and phrases in this half-term family workshop.

Suitable for children aged 6 and under.

Artist Yingmei Duan leads an interactive workshop exploring how we can take care of ourselves and lead a healthy lifestyle from a traditional Chinese perspective. Research the human body and explore health and wellbeing through exercises such as Tai Chi and sharing healthy Chinese food in this early morning workshop.

This event explores Chinese thought systems such as Confucianism and Taoism, and the way artists explore the tension between these ancient thought systems and global capitalism. Led by leading sinologist Julia Lovell, author of The Opium War: Drugs, Dreams and the Making of China, alongside Sun Shuyun, author of Ten Thousand Miles Without a Cloud and critic Paul Gladston, this event looks at work produced by artists such as Liang Shaoji, who began making work in the 70s and 80s as China was slowly opening up to the outside world.

Martin Jacques’ landmark book When China Rules the World is a bold and controversial account of China’s rise to prominence, which has sold a quarter of a million copies. Jacques argues that China’s impact on the world stage will be as much political and cultural as economic and will transform the world as we know it. But is he right? Join Martin as he considers and the future of China and one of the great geopolitical stories of our time.

An opportunity to visit the exhibition in the company of special guests who present their individual readings of the exhibition. Tours take place in the Hayward Gallery and last approximately 45 minutes.

Thursdays at 6:30pm

13 September: Dr Katie Hill: Sotheby’s Institute of Art

11 October: Dr Stephanie Rosenthal: Chief Curator, Hayward Gallery

18 October: Dr Wenny Teo: The Courtauld Institute of Art

25 October: Jessica Cerasi: Exhibitions Assistant, Hayward Gallery

1 November: Prof. Paul GladstonCentre for Contemporary East-Asian Cultural Studies, The University of Nottingham

15 November: Ying Kwok: Curator, Chinese Arts Centre, Manchester

29 November Siobhan McCracken Nixon: Assistant Curator, Hayward Gallery

All other Thursdays at 6:30pm: Explore the exhibitions guided by MA students from Central Saint Martin’s College of Art & Design.

Education Groups are entitled to a discounted rate of £4.50 per student (School/College groups 17 years and under), £5.00 (College/University groups 18 years +), and accompanying teachers go free, Monday to Friday, when booking and paying in advance.

London Borough of Lambeth schools go free when booking in advance.

To book phone 0844 875 0070 Monday – Friday 9.30am – 5.30pm.

For further information and for details on artist led tours and workshops email groups@southbankcentre.co.uk.

To book phone 0844 875 0070

The Huddle is Southbank Centre’s group for young people aged 16 to 19 from across London who are passionate about art. They meet regularly to explore current exhibitions, and collaborate to produce ambitious events and artworks to share with the public, ranging from art installations to creative tours.

Being part of the Huddle gives young people the opportunity to work directly with professional artists as well as Hayward Gallery staff, to produce bold new artworks and develop curatorial skills. Anyone aged 16 to 19 can join and new members are always very welcome. Email huddle@southbankcentre.co.uk

Teachers interested in bringing school groups to Art of Change: New Directions from China can get free entry and a special tour at our teachers’ evening on Thursday 20th September, 5 – 7pm. For more information email groups@southbankcentre.co.uk.