Curatorial Practices Reimagine Islands and Coastlines in Chinese Contemporary Art
An increase in practice-oriented initiatives within Chinese contemporary art is transforming perceptions of maritime environments through community involvement, walking, and artist residencies. Notable projects include the 'Offshore' residency (2019) on Dinawan Island, Sabah, featuring artists such as Hu Wei and Tong Wenmin, who tackle colonial histories. Tan Yue's exhibition 'One Way Ashore, A Thousand Channels' (2024–2025) at the Guangdong Times Museum presents themes surrounding sand-mining and floating urban developments. Additionally, the Rockbund Art Museum's exhibitions 'Wan Hai Hotel' (2024–2025) and 'Making Substance 2022' offer new perspectives on maritime stories. He Yining's 'The Port and The Image' (2017, 2019, 2022) captures port cities, while Long Yitang and Ma Sai's 'Thinking Through Ocean: Sea Route' (2022–) delves into hidden narratives beneath the waves.
Key facts
- The 'Offshore' residency program (2019) on Dinawan Island, Sabah, was initiated by curators Yuan Fuca and Han Xinyi.
- Hu Wei's video 'Long Time Between Sunsets and Underground Waves' (2021) documents the Sama-Bajau people's statelessness.
- Tan Yue's exhibition 'One Way Ashore, A Thousand Channels' (2024–2025) at Guangdong Times Museum features Sim Chi Yin and Hu Rui.
- Sim Chi Yin's 'Shifting Sands' (2017–) documents sand-mining across China, Malaysia, Singapore, and Vietnam.
- Hu Rui's 'Star House above the Breaking Waves' (2024) imagines a floating city called Namkong.
- Rockbund Art Museum's 'Wan Hai Hotel' (2024–2025) was inspired by a Chinese-run hotel in Penang, Malaysia.
- The 'Re-Asia Project' (2025) by Longlati Foundation initiated the field investigation 'Pilgrimage to Mazu'.
- Zhang Beichen's 'The Sun Rises, the Great Northern Telegraphy Station Sinks into the Sea' (2022–) uses media archaeology on submarine cables.
- Long Yitang's 'Umwelt-atlas' (2024–2025) follows Qing literati Yu Yonghe along the G228 National Highway.
- The 2021 Shanghai Biennale 'Bodies of Water' was curated by Andrés Jaque and inspired by Astrida Neimanis.
- Tong Wenmin's 'Wave' (2019) was created during her residency on Dinawan Island.
- Lin Zhao's novel 'Tidal Atlas' (2022) narrates a nonhuman perspective through a giant frog's journey.
Entities
Artists
- Hu Wei
- Tong Wenmin
- Chang Yuchen
- Fan Xi
- Sim Chi Yin
- Hu Rui
- Weng Fen
- Zhu Lanqing
- Zhang Beichen
- Ren Zeyuan
- Zhang Zixuan
- Zheng Andong
- Hong-Kai Wang
- Pok Chi Lau
- Lin Zhao
- Yu Yonghe
- Zheng Mahler (Collective)
- Long Yitang
- Ma Sai
- Yuan Fuca
- Han Xinyi
- Tan Yue
- He Yining
- Chen Min
- Sun Jiyuan
- Chen Baiqi
- Qiu Ding
- Andrés Jaque
- Epeli Hau‘ofa
- Yi-Fu Tuan
- Astrida Neimanis
- Mary Louise Pratt
- Melody Jue
- Ji Yu
Institutions
- Guangdong Times Museum
- Rockbund Art Museum
- Longlati Foundation
- Power Station of Art
- Jiazazhi Library
- One Way Street Foundation
- McaM (Ming Contemporary Art Museum)
- Shanghai Biennale
Locations
- Dinawan Island
- Sabah
- East Malaysia
- Malaysia
- Hainan Island
- Hainan
- China
- Guangzhou
- Shanghai
- Penang
- Jeju Island
- South Korea
- Hong Kong
- Myanmar
- Thailand
- Ningbo
- Quanzhou
- Fuzhou
- Dalian
- Quanzhou Bay
- Houzhu Port
- Mawei Port
- Fujian
- Meizhou Bay
- Xiamen
- Lingdingyang
- Pearl River
- Singapore
- Vietnam
- Quangang
- Jinjiang
- Anhai
- Haicheng
- Longhai
- Zhangpu
- Yunxiao
- Sandu’ao
- Ningde
- Sun Ke Villa
- G228 National Highway