Very thrilled to share this special issue, “London, Asia, Exhibitions, Histories” – of British Art Studies journal edited by Hammad Nasar and Sarah Victoria Turner. Alongside the many fantastic research pieces featured in this issue, artists Bettina Fung, Ada Hao, Nicholas Tee were given the wonderful opportunity to extend the “Being Present” performance programme, curated by Annie Jael Kwan, that was presented at the Manchester Art Gallery in response to the Speech Acts exhibition.
This live art programme examined with different aesthetics and performance methods the issues around Asian and diaspora identity, the institution and what might constitute the broader narrative of British art history.
Working with the editors and the team at the Paul Mellon Centre, we explored how the project themes of embodiment and presence might be manifested on the digital platform as part of the cover collaboration, and what it means for us as artists and practitioners, of Asian and diaspora connections, to be present together in the British art studies context in our contemporary era.
This issue features three online presentations by the artists and a curatorial essay written in reflection of both the live and online iterations. Please do read it here.
Join the British Art Studies editorial team and contributors for the evening of 14 November to celebrate the launch of our latest special issue, London, Asia, Exhibitions, Histories. An overview of the issue with the editors will be followed by a panel discussion with Ming Tiampo (Carleton University, Ottawa and London, Asia Research Award holder), Annie Jael Kwan (Asia Art Activism) and Victoria Walsh (Royal College of Art). This will be followed by a drinks reception. Please book here.
The London, Asia project is funded and hosted by the Paul Mellon Centre for Studies in British Art (PMC), is co-lead by Hammad Nasar, Senior Research Fellow and Sarah Victoria Turner, Deputy Director for Research at the Centre, and was established in collaboration with Hong Kong’s Asia Art Archive (AAA).
Also, hear AAA Radio’s inaugural programme A Series of Uncomfortable Conversations #1 where Hammad Nasar, Annie Jael Kwan, the artists are in the studio with AAA Radio DJ Cường Cuong Phạmbinho discussing the project, migrant bodies, precarity, institutions and what it means to take up space at the Manchester Art Gallery.
With the deepest appreciation to editors Hammad Nasar, Dr. Sarah Victoria Turner for the kind invitation, Dr. Ming Tiampo, Baillie Card and the wonderful Paul Mellon team for all their support in making it happen.
Image credit: Lee Wen, Journey of Yellow Man, 2001. Digital image courtesy of the estate of Lee Wen and the Southeast Asia Performance Collection
Annie Jael Kwan 