Recently, I participated in a meetup organized by three Chinese graduates majored in curation from RCA and UAL. Around fifteen young Chinese artists were invited to this event, all of whom have graduated within the past three years and are in the early stages of their artistic development.
The three curators have a goal to establish a platform that facilitates networking among young Chinese artists and provides exhibition opportunities to enhance their visibility. Interestingly, this closely aligns with my research topic, where I aim to uncover the challenges and dilemmas faced by young Chinese artists upon transitioning from the campus environment to the complexities of the “real world.” While my goal is also to amplify the visibility and sustainability of this underrepresented group, I am particularly inclined to shed light on aspects that might have been overlooked within the broader structure, using case studies as my lens. In contrast to a positive and “success” narrative, I intend to emphasize the dilemmas and conditions faced by specific individuals, which, based on my prior readings, offers a distinct approach within the current context saturated with optimistic narratives.
This meetup provided an excellent opportunity to learn about the initiatives of other organizations. I also engaged in conversations with young Chinese artists and gained valuable insights into their strategies for navigating life in the city. I would like to conduct more interviews and delve into additional case studies, as these will play a pivotal role in shaping my forthcoming interventions.
