In March 2020, visual artist JJ Chan was preparing videos for a group exhibition at the Chinese Contemporary Art Museum in Manchester. This exhibition, titled "A New Face: Chinese Diaspora Now," explored Chan's complex emotional relationship with Hong Kong, her parents' hometown.
After the sudden departure of the initial curator, Chan realized that there were no Chinese staff members in the gallery and that 12 out of 13 staff members were white. This lack of diversity made Chan feel that her work would be shaped through a white lens, which is why she withdrew from her exhibition and published an open letter stating, "My experiences and traumas are being used as a tool to enter an industry where racial demographics are significantly underrepresented."
Controversies and Reactions
Subsequently, the art institution attempted to address the lack of diversity among its staff by hiring seven artists from the Chinese generation. However, this initiative was halted due to concerns raised about institutional racism by these artists. The artist collective then called for an international boycott of the institution, leading to the resignation of six board members and several staff members.
After the museum closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, it never reopened. However, now, the institution has relaunched under a new name and with a renewed mission. With these changes, can the Chinese Contemporary Art Museum regain its lost credibility and become a true cultural hub for the Chinese community and other minorities?
A New Vision
The museum is now seeking to create a space where cultural diversity is properly represented and the voices of artists and the Chinese community are heard. With these changes, there is hope that this institution can re-emerge as a prominent art center in Manchester and distance itself from its controversial past.
