The Chinese Contemporary Art Center in Manchester, which was closed in 2021 due to a series of controversies and criticisms, has now returned to the scene with a new name. This center, which was once criticized for its lack of racial diversity and inability to account for the voices of Chinese artists in its events, is now striving to put its painful past behind and move towards a new future.
The Painful Story of Chinese Artists
In March 2020, visual artist JJ Chan was preparing video works for a group exhibition at this center. This artwork explored his complex emotional relationships with Hong Kong, his parents' hometown. However, after the sudden departure of the initial curator, Chan realized that out of the 13 staff members at the center, 12 were white, and most of the front-line volunteers were also of Chinese descent. This issue led him to withdraw from the project and send an open letter to the center stating, "My experience and pain are being used as a tool for advancement in favor of an over-represented population."
In response to these criticisms, the organization hired seven artists of Chinese heritage the same year to address the lack of diversity in the center, but this initiative was halted when artists raised issues of institutional racism with the gallery. The artist working group led a call for an international boycott of the institution, resulting in the resignation of six board members and several staff.
A Fresh Start with a New Mission
After being closed due to COVID in 2020, this art space never reopened. However, now that the Chinese Contemporary Art Center is continuing its activities with a new mission and fresh name, hopes for redressing the past and elevating the voices of Chinese artists in this space have been revived. The center aims to create an environment that prioritizes diversity and draws inspiration from the experiences and stories of Chinese artists.
Source: theguardian.com
