Jiayue He (Cindy)

I am a curator, mediator, and researcher based in UK and Shanghai. My curatorial research focused on understanding the infrastructures of public cultural institutions, how cultures are being institutionalised and the complexity of curatorial care. I am attracted to the accidental fragments of everyday life and document them through my art sketches and journal writings. I draw curatorial inspirations from both UK and Chinese cultures and explore the potential links that exist between both cultures.

My graduate dissertation, “Curatorial care: the complexity of care and how institutions think with care”, focused on problematising the complexity of care by discussing the perceptions of contemporary art curating and institutional practices. My research intends to open new ways of thinking and practising care for future practitioners and draws attention to what exists outside the dominant discourse of care. 

In partnership with Flat Time House, my graduate project “Breath Variations” explored the idea of ecology, sound and attention. I co-conducted exhibition research and co-edited curatorial rationale and a curatorial appendix for exhibition leaflets. I worked closely with Irish sound artist Christopher Steenson and the partner gallery during production to provide technical and material support. For my future career, I look forward to working with artists, writers, and multi-disciplinary practitioners to explore the various modes of communication and collaborations through curating. 

I am also a co-founder of Backitchen curatorial collective (co-curating with Youjia Qian &Wanlan Chen), a collective devoted to promoting Asian art, its social engagement and care. The collective has curated solo artist and group shows at Venice Arsenale; Behavan gallery and Liquid Gold Studios at London. The collective has built connections and relational web among international Asian art communities to provide an ongoing sustainable platform for future collaborations.