Chang En Man: As Heavy as a Feather

×

Expand

Chang En Man, "As Heavy as a Feather," nd

Curated by Tyler Russell and Makiko Hara

Opening Reception: Thursday, November 10, 7pm

Artist talk: Saturday, November 12, 3pm

Centre A is pleased to welcome leading indigenous Taiwanese artist Chang En Man for her first exhibition in North America. Chang’s practice is characterized by a dynamic interplay between story, tradition, and the struggles of indigenous peoples in the face of ongoing experiences of colonization. Chang employs a critical approach to capitalism and its effect on representations of traditional indigenous practices. Through video, performance and social practice, she unearths complex interconnections between indigenous peoples and cultures and land, creating a space for the critique and assertion of contemporary expressions of indigenous identity.  

In this exhibition, with a traditional song and kite installation, she criticizes capitalism's influence on indigenous cultures. Further, she presents an editorial project in-progress; where oral tradition, performance and academic practice inform a trans-pacific conversation between North American and Taiwanese communities. Through this dialogue, the artist seeks to address key issues including: contemporary indigenous identity, the complexity of settler-indigenous relationships, and the means for realising comprehensive de-colonisation.

Initiating dialogue, Chang invited Anchi Lin, a Vancouver-based artist of Taiwanese indigenous descent, to be part of the exhibition. Lin’s work, which will be exhibited in the back gallery is a new video piece entitled, “A Glass of Wine”, an informal and intimate conversation with Chang.

As Heavy as a Feather takes place on the heels of a summer research trip where Chang En Man participated in UBC Okanagan’s Indigenous Arts Intensive and traveled throughout the province. After the exhibition at Centre A, this project will travel to Los Angeles, California where it will be presented at the Taiwan Academy Gallery.

We’d like to acknowledge the contribution of Centre A staff: Christian Vistan, Natalie Tan and Ruby Wang, and the exceptional assistance of Jimmy Liang, Hanzhi Hua, Eileen Hsu, Y Vy Truong, Jessica Chu, Lucy Ann Tung and Aubin Kwon.

Chang En-Man lives and works in Taipei. Her work has been widely exhibited in Taiwan, as well as Thailand and Korea. In 2011, she received a Kaohsiung Award honorable mention in mixed media. The Taipei City Department of Cultural Affairs has sponsored her work in 2013 and 2014. As Heavy as a Feather marks her first showing in North America.

Anchi Lin is an artist of Taiwanese heritage who lives and works in Vancouver. Her work negotiates and interfaces with concepts such as language, identity, and cultural norms. Her heritage has served as a catalyst for her exploration of these concepts. Lin received a BFA in Visual Art from Simon Fraser University School for the Contemporary Arts.