Established in 2006 and directed by Alexis Kouzmine-Karavaïeff, the Ifa Gallery explores perspectives on contemporary art in China and beyond.

The gallery initially opened in M50 (short for 50 Moganshan Road), the site of a former textile mill that is now a well-known Shanghai art district.

Formerly Xinhe Cotton Mill, later renamed Shanghai Chunming Roving Factory,[1][2] this area began attracting artists and galleries in 1999.

The Ifa Gallery opened a temporary space called "ifa²gallery" (August 2010 – February 2011) located on Yonkang Lu Art (a platform for contemporary art on Yongkang Road, developed by the artist-curator Zane Mellupe, in the former French Concession of Shanghai).

In late 2008/early 2009, Ink Games, the solo show of Dai Guangyu, was seen to be "one of the foremost events of the winter season in the sphere of contemporary fine art in Shanghai".