The relationship between the gallery and the artist is that between the agent and the artist. In general, there can be two ways of cooperation: short-term or one-time; the other is long-term and exclusive, or what the industry calls representation. A gallery that represents an artist will need to promote the artist for a long time and usually will keep representing the artist's work for three to five years; this is an exclusive relationship and a long-term, stable relationship. Long-term representation enables the gallery to have more fixed partners. Through various ways to boost an artist's popularity, a gallery's operation will be equipped with promotion, therefore becoming a professional and academic gallery. 

From an artist's perspective, gallery support provides financial security for their artistic creations, allowing them to focus on their work, avoiding the distraction of tedious chores, and enhancing artistic excellence. In 2021, 46% of Galleries in Beijing had financial expenses to support artists' creations.

The types of artists represented by Galleries in Beijing in 2021 are very diverse, ranging from artists born before 1950 to mainstream artists born in the 1970s and 1980s, to young artists born in the 1990s and post-2000s; and as Galleries in Beijing keep the momentum to globalize, quite a few are working with international artists. 

1. Number of Artists Represented by Galleries in Beijing

• 8% of the galleries represent fewer than 5 artists.
• 28% of the galleries represent 5-10 artists.
• 50% of the galleries represent 10-50 artists.
• 14% of the galleries represent more than 50 artists.

2. Number of Artists Born before 1970 Represented by Galleries in Beijing

• 6% of the galleries are not representing artists born before 1970.
• 50% of the galleries represent 1-5 artists born before 1970.
• 22% of the galleries represent 6-15 artists born before 1970.
• 12% of the galleries represent 20-30 artists born before 1970.
• 10% of the galleries represent more than 30 artists born before 1970.

3. Number of Artists Born in the 1970s and 1980s Represented by Galleries in Beijing

• 2% of the galleries are not representing artists born in the 1970s and 1980s.
• 28% of the galleries represent 1-5 artists born in the 1970s and 1980s.
• 48% of the galleries represent 6-15 artists born in the 1970s and 1980s.
• 14% of the galleries represent 15-21 artists born in the 1970s and 1980s.
• 8% of the galleries represent more than 30 artists born in the 1970s and 1980s.

Young to middle-aged artists, namely artists born in the 1970s and 1980s, have become the most active and promising segment of the Chinese contemporary art market after their early years of promotion and growth, with nearly 50% of Galleries in Beijing representing 6-15 artists born in the 1970s and 1980s. A large number of galleries are devoting their resources to artists of these two generations.

4. Number of Artists Born in the 1990s and 2000s Represented by Galleries in Beijing

• 22% of the galleries are not representing artists born in the 1990s and 2000s.
• 60% of the galleries represent 1-5 artists born in the 1990s and 2000s.
• 16% of the galleries represent 6-10 artists born in the 1990s and 2000s.
• 2% of the galleries represent more than 10 artists born in the 1990s and 2000s.

5. Number of International Artists Represented by Galleries in Beijing

• 22% of the galleries are not representing international artists.
• 56% of the galleries represent 1-5 international artists.
• 10% of the galleries represent 6-10 international artists.
• 6% of the galleries represent 20-30 international artists.
• 6% of the galleries represent more than 30 international artists.

The number of galleries representing international artists and the number of represented international artists show an increasing trend.

6. Number of Female Artists Represented by Galleries in Beijing

• 12% of the galleries are not representing female artists.
• 50% of the galleries represent 1-5 female artists.
• 24% of the galleries represent 6-10 female artists.
• 12% of the galleries represent 11-20 female artists.
• 2% of the galleries represent more than 20 female artists.