Through a series of exhibitions, commissions and events, NOW explores how the diversity of current female artistic practice transcends notions of gender difference to offer hybrid perspectives on their socio-political environment.
This collaborative programme led by Centre for Chinese Contemporary Art (CFCCA) brings together five distinct art organisations across the UK, to show a diverse range of art works and new commissions from some of the most exciting female artists working in mainland China.
NOW will take place across the UK from February 2018 at: Centre for Chinese Contemporary Art (Manchester); Middlesbrough Institute of Modern Art (Middlesbrough); Nottingham Contemporary (Nottingham) and Turner Contemporary (Margate). There will also be an artist film series at HOME (Manchester) and a symposium hosted by Tate Research Centre: Asia (London).From giant installations and elusive sculptural pieces challenging and exploring everyday objects to powerful and other-worldly visual narratives, the huge variety of artworks found throughout the NOW programme, reflects the many viewpoints of artists in the wake of feminist movements of the past.
Na Buqi, Floating Narratives, 2017 image courtesy of the artist
Geng Xue, still from Mr. Sea (2013-14)
The aim of NOW is to re-open a dialogue on the way female artists are positioning themselves in China now. It also reveals how the rapid transformations of contemporary China have provided new transcultural opportunities and possibilities for female artists.
NOW is co-organised by Plus Tate, the China Central Academy of Fine Arts and the Centre for Chinese Contemporary Art in collaboration with HOME, Manchester; Middlesbrough Institute of Modern Art; Nottingham Contemporary and Turner Contemporary, Margate. The programme is sponsored by the China National Arts Fund and supported by British Council, China.It features art work - including many commissions and first UK showings – from: Na Buqi (b. 1984); Wu Chao (b. 1977); Ye Funa (b. 1986); Yang Guangnan (b. 1980); Ma Qiusha (b. 1982); Li Shurui (b. 1981); Luo Wei (b. 1989); Hu Xiaoyuan (b. 1977); Shen Xin (b. 1990); Yin Xiuzhen (b. 1963); Duan Jianyu (b. 1970) and Geng Xue (b. 1983).
Featured artists in the film series include: Hao Jingban (b. 1985); Shiyuan Liu (b. 1985); Wang NewOne (b. online 2014); Yao Qingmei (b. 1982); Ma Qiusha (b. 1982); Liu Yi (b. 1981); Chi Jang Yin (b. 1973); Miao Ying (b. 1985); Liang Yue (b. 1979); Peng Yun (b. 1982); Guan Xiao (b. 1983); Hu Xiaoyuan (b.1977); Wang Xin (1983) and Geng Xue (b. 1983).
Duan Jianyu, Sharp, Sharp, Smart No.10
Yin Xiuzhen, Digestive Cavity 1 (2017)
Courtesy of the organizer, for more information, and to request a press pack, please contact Emma Bosworth / Zoe Dunbar at CFCCA. Emma.b@cfcca.org.uk or call 0161 832 7271.
About the programme
Centre for Chinese Contemporary Art (CFCCA), www.cfcca.org.uk
Exhibition dates: 16 February – 29 April 2018
Featured artists: Na Buqi (b.1984), Wu Chao (b. 1977), Yang Guangnan (b. 1980), Li Shurui (b.1981), Luo Wei (b.1989), Hu Xiaoyuan (b. 1977) and Geng Xue (b. 1983).
Contact: Emma Bosworth, Marketing & Communications Coordinator, emma.b@cfcca.org.uk
Middlesbrough Institute of Modern Art (MIMA), www.mima.art
Exhibitions dates: 17 February - 3 June 2018
Featured artists: Ma Qiusha (b. 1982), Shen Xin (b. 1990)
Contact: Sally Pearson, Communications Manager, S.Pearson@tees.ac.uk
Nottingham Contemporary, www.nottinghamcontemporary.org
Exhibition dates: 17 February – 4 March 2018
Featured artists: Ye Funa (b. 1986)
Contact: Andy Batson, Head of Audiences & Partnerships, AndyBatson@nottinghamcontemporary.org
Turner Contemporary, www.turnercontemporary.org
Exhibition dates: 21 February – 2 September 2018
Featured artist: Yin Xiuzhen (b. 1963)
Contact: Moya Stirrup, Marketing Manager, MStirrup@turnercontemporary.org
HOME, www.homemcr.org
Moving Image Programme.
Volume 1: Thursday 15 February 2018.
Volume 1: Monday 19 March 2018.
Featured artists: Wang NewOne (b. online in 2014), Yao Qingmei (b. 1982), Ma Qiusha (b. 1982), Chi Jang Yin (b. 1973), Miao Ying (b. 1985), Peng Yun (b. 1982) and Hu Xiaoyuan (b.1977).
Volume 2: Monday 26 March 2018.
Featured artists: Hao Jingban (b. 1985), Shiyuan Liu (b. 1985), Liu Yi (b. 1981), Liang Yue (b. 1979), Guan Xiao (b. 1983), Wang Xin (1983) and Geng Xue (b. 1983).
Contact: Elisa Ruff, Senior Manager of Media & Communications, elisa.ruff@homemcr.org
Tate Research Centre: Asia, www.tate.org.uk/research/research-centres/asia
Symposium date: 22 February 2018
Confirmed speakers: TBC
Contact: Chloe Julius, Research Coordinator, chloe.julius@tate.org.uk
About China National Arts Fund (CNAF), www.cnaf.cn
The China National Arts Fund is a public welfare fund set up by the Chinese state to promote Chinese art and to foster artistic development.
About Central Academy of Fine Arts (CAFA), Beijing, www.cafa.edu.cn
The Central Academy of Fine Arts is a leading institution for modern art education in China which houses its own museum CAFAM on campus.
About Plus Tate, http://www.tate.org.uk/about-us/national-international-local/plus-tate
Plus Tate aims to support the development of the visual arts across the UK, by fostering a climate where exchange and partnership can flourish. Joining together to exchange ideas, knowledge, skills and resources, as well as programmes and collections, the Plus Tate partners, facilitated by Tate, enable more audiences to engage with modern and contemporary art across major cities and rural communities.
About The British Council, China, www.britishcouncil.cn
The British Council is the UK’s international organisation for cultural relations and educational opportunities. We work with over 100 countries in the fields of arts and culture, English language, education and civil society. Last year we reached over 65 million people directly and 731 million people overall including online, broadcasts and publications. We make a positive contribution to the countries we work with – changing lives by creating opportunities, building connections and engendering trust. Founded in 1934 we are a UK charity governed by Royal Charter and a UK public body. We receive 15 per cent core funding grant from the UK government.
