Go Figure! Contemporary Chinese Portraiture - exhibition catalogue

Abstract

Research Background: ‘Go Figure! Contemporary Chinese Portraiture’ was a major curated national exhibition displayed across two venues - The National Portrait Gallery of Australia, Canberra and the Sherman Contemporary Art Foundation, Sydney. The exhibition drew on the largest single collection of experimental Chinese art, then based in Switzerland. Research Contribution: The concept for the exhibition and development of the exhibition was based on substantial research and field work. ‘Go Figure!’ was the first exhibition to adopt a thematic focus of the portrait or figure as a way of examining the significance of contemporary artistic practice in China over the past thirty years, a period of dramatic socio-economic change. Key works of the period were displayed in new, thought provoking contexts, allowing for the creation of new knowledge and insights. Research Significance: The exhibition received a large amount of publicity and excellent reviews in local, national and international newspapers and journals. The curator was chosen to speak about the exhibition as an outstanding example of transcultural curatorial practice to a meeting of Vice Chancellors from Australian and Chinese Universities.