The Chinese Contemporary Art Museum in Manchester has resumed its activities with a new name and mission after closing in 2021 due to a series of controversies and criticisms. This museum continues its operations while having a contentious and debated history behind it.
Bitter Experience of Artists
In March 2020, visual artist Gigi Chan was preparing videos for a group exhibition at this museum. Her works revolved around family video tapes and were titled "A New Constellation: The Chinese Diaspora Today." However, when Chan sought guidance from the museum, she discovered that none of the museum staff were Chinese; of the 13 members, 12 were white, and most of the volunteers were of Chinese descent. Concerned that her story would be told from a white perspective, Chan withdrew from the project and published an open letter stating, "My experience and tragedy have become a tool for entering an industry that is already overrepresented by its representatives."
Confronting Institutional Racism
Subsequently, the organization attempted to recruit seven artists of Chinese descent to increase diversity. However, this initiative faced criticisms of institutional racism and ultimately led to the cancellation of the plan. The group of artists leading these protests submitted a request for an international boycott of the institution, resulting in the resignation of six board members and several staff.
After the museum closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, the space never reopened. Now, with its reopening, the museum seeks to regain the trust of the community and rebuild its reputation. Can it escape the shadow of its past this time and become a true center for Chinese contemporary art?
