13 April – 17 June 2007
He Chengyao, Annie Haiso-Ching Wang, Amy Cham
Chain implies a notion of confinement and restraint, something that we are being attached to vulnerably. However it can also be understood simply as a connection of a series of things, which are linked together by something in common.
Chain exhibits works by three lens-based artists. Using their personal story with their mothers, and the experience of being a mother themselves, they aim to illustrate an aspect of the reality of family intimacy.
He Chengyao responds to some past memories with her body. She is hoping to find out the answer to something she was too young to understand, but still remembers vividly. Whether a painful or emotional memory, she tries to heal herself by the process of re-acting.
Annie Haiso-Ching Wang is carrying out a life long project with her son since his birth, as a testimony of the extension of life as well as the family chain.
Passing on the cooking knowledge to the next generation is an iconic symbol of the prolongation of a family history. Amy Cham tries to explore if it is a celebration or a question about the notion of nurturing and motherhood.
About the Artists
He Chengyao: Lives in Beijing. She graduated from the Sichuan Art Academy in 1989.
Her performance based photographic works have been widely shown in China and overseas, exhibitions include: China Contemporary Art Exhibition, Italy 2001; Pusan Biennale, Korea 2002; Cruel/Loving Bodies, Shanghai, Beijing 2004, Hong Kong 2006. Live Art festivals include: First Live Art Festival, Beijing 2003; 5th International Performance Art Festival; Thailand 2003, Asia Woman’s Art, Japan 2004; Vital International Chinese Live Art Festival, Manchester, 2006.
He Chengyao works in photography, painting and live art. As well as memories, she also uses her experience as a woman in Chinese society as a subject matter for her live art performances. By creating an intimate and experimental environment, audiences are invited to participate and interact with the artist.
Annie Haiso-Ching Wang: Was born in Taiwan, she now lives and works in Brighton. Wang holds a BA in Arts and Crafts from Taipei Municipal Teachers College, Taiwan; a MA in Fine Art from Middlesex University, London, UK; a Mphil/PhD in Arts and Communication from University of Brighton, UK, and is currently a PhD Candidate in Arts and Communication there. Solo exhibitions include: Body, Taiwan 2000; Picturing Motherhood, UK 2005. Selected Group exhibitions include: The Fabricated Image-Wedding Process, Taiwan 1997; Artistic Exchange Market, UK, France & Belgium 1999; Motherhood and Creativity, UK 2003; The Creativity of Motherhood, UK 2004.
Annie Hasio-Ching Wang works in photography, painting and mixed media. She focuses on woman’s issues and the birth of her son in 2000 has since inspired her to create numerous artworks documenting her journey into motherhood.
Amy Cham: Lives and works in Manchester. Amy graduated from the Cumbria Institute of the Arts completing a BA (hons) in Film Studies and Visual Arts, 2002. Amy then obtained a MA in Art as Environment at Manchester Metropolitan University. Currently she is working as Project Coordinator for the re:thread exhibition with artist Wu Mali in Blackburn, and also as Digital Arts Manager at Community Arts Northwest based in Manchester. Amy was awarded for Postgraduate Study from Arts and Humanities Research Board in 2003 and became Artist in Residency at Chinese Arts Centre in 2004.
Selected exhibition include: 2000. Filmspace (happening), Carlisle 2000; 31 Degrees Carlisle 2002; Mirror II, Lancaster 2002; Exposures Film festival, Manchester 2004; Queer Cymru, Cardiff 2006.
Passing on the cooking knowledge to the next generation is an iconic symbol of the prolongation of a family history. Cham explores if the notion of nurturing and motherhood is indeed a celebration or a question?
Amy Cham is interested in the boundaries set between the artwork, artist and audience. Working with text, video and mixed media she explores various layers of social and human issues in art. Most of her work involves audience’s interaction
