Dirty Knees: an exhibition exploring half-Asian identities

Start: Aug. 13, 2016, 2 a.m.

End: Aug. 13, 2016, 7 p.m.

Dirty Knees - an exhibition exploring half-Asian identities

Featuring:
Shannon Elliott http://shannonelliott.ca/
Katie So http://katieso.tumblr.com/
Mandy Tsung http://facebook.com/mandy.tsung.art
Lauren YS http://laurenys.com/
Nomi Chi http://www.nomi-chi.com/

curated by Nomi Chi.

Opening reception Aug 12 8pm till late.
Exhibition runs until Aug 22

Gallery Hours - Sat + Sun 1-5pm

Interview: https://ricepapermagazine.ca/2016/07/dirtyknees/

http://www.konbini.com/us/lifestyle/masters-of-ink-half-asian-tattooers-confront-mixed-race-stereotypes/

“Hapa”, “Halfu” and “Mixed” are some of many terms used to describe groups or individuals who are partially-Asian, sometimes with pejorative connotations, sometimes in an attempt to be apolitically descriptive of one's racial background. Many mixed-Asian individuals reject the idea of an umbrella term, and considering the heterogeneous nature of mixed-backgrounds, it is understandable that the terminology itself should have fuzzy edges; however, this can be a difficulty when attempting to find and establish communities. This struggle to locate a self when the self is fractured is a core tenet of much of the work presented in Dirty Knees: a visual arts exhibition exploring half-Asian mixed identities in North America. Hailing from Canada and parts of the United States, participating artists Nomi Chi, Shannon Elliott, Katie So, Mandy Tsung, and Lauren YS - all of half-East-Asian racial ancestry - will be using this exhibition as an opportunity to survey their experiences as mixed-race artists existing in a culture which often focuses on linear definitions regarding racial heritages and narratives.

“Dirty Knees” loosely refers to the crass playground rhyme, "Chinese/ Japanese/ Dirty knees/ Look at these!” - the phrase ‘Dirty Knees” ostensibly referring to migrant labourers often working on their knees. Many of us have, as children, participated in reciting this rhyme, regardless of our racial makeup. This presence and ubiquity of internalized racism is a complex issue for those with mixed-Asian backgrounds, leading to stratified and tangled issues with blood relatives, with ideas of tradition and sense of selfhood. In Dirty Knees, the artists are encouraged to unpack these ideas in reference their own upbringings and and observations. As examples, Katie So will be making proclamations of dissent against how she is often perceived; Lauren YS will be ruminating on the complexity of an identity that is inherently stratified, and has reached out online to survey half-asian volunteers to inform her work. Themes of otherness, sameness, and fetishization will be some of many motifs explored. The artists are also encouraged to make works outside of their respective practices to convey their messages, yet stay faithful to their particular visions and styles. With representative illustration being a pivotal element in all of their work, the figure will be a familiar subject in this exhibition. The aim is ultimately to establish and consolidate a sense of community for Mixed-race people and people of colour, as well as to add important voices to discussions regarding race and identity politics within the discourse of contemporary visual arts.