The Chinese Contemporary Arts Centre in Manchester, which was closed in 2021 due to a series of controversies, has now returned to the art scene with a new name and a fresh mission. These changes come amid widespread criticism and dissatisfaction regarding the management and lack of diversity at the centre.
Controversies and Criticisms
In March 2020, visual artist JJ Chan was preparing his videos for a group exhibition at the centre. This exhibition, titled "A New Constellation: The Chinese Diaspora Now," explored Chan's complex emotional ties to his parents' hometown in Hong Kong. However, after Chan discovered that out of 13 staff members, only one was Chinese and the others were predominantly white, he decided to withdraw and wrote an open letter to the centre.
In this letter, Chan wrote: "My experience and pain have become a tool for entering an industry that already has many representatives." This criticism led to the invitation of Chinese-descent artists to the centre, but this move also faced negative reactions from artists and criticisms regarding institutional racism. Ultimately, these disputes resulted in the resignation of six board members and several staff members.
A Fresh Start
After the centre was closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, the space never reopened. However, now with a name change and a new model, the Chinese Contemporary Arts Centre hopes to achieve greater diversity and transparency in its programs. Will these changes help restore public trust and bring back artists and visitors to the centre? Time will tell.
