We are delighted to announce Lai Fei as the 2025 Asymmetry Writer-in-Residence, an initiative that supports an experienced arts and curatorial writer to conceive an independent research project. In collaboration with Delfina Foundation and following an invite-only selection process that took place earlier this year, Fei has begun her three-month residency in September which will culminate in a presentation across Asymmetry HQ and Delfina Foundation in winter 2025.
During her residency, Fei will explore how urban parks become queer commons and spaces of gathering, desire, resistance, and imagination. From London to cities across China, her project seeks to map layered queer geographies and attend to the fleeting, affective moments often absent from archives. Through walking tours, screenings, readings, and a bilingual reader, the project outcome will bring together essays, artworks, auto-fiction, AI literature, maps, and conversations.
This initiative was conceptualised after identifying the need to create focused opportunities that offer sustainable parameters for Mainland China-based practitioners to conduct independent research in another cultural context without having to integrate into foreign institutional structures.
The Writer-in-Residence will join Delfina Foundation’s renowned residency programme, receiving additional mentoring and peer-to-peer exchange with other practitioners.
About the Asymmetry Writer-in-Residence
The Asymmetry Writer-in-Residence is an initiative that supports independent research. Geared towards an experienced arts and curatorial writer based in Mainland China, it is a fully funded three-month residency in London, hosted by Asymmetry and in collaboration with Delfina Foundation.
Tapping into the extensive mentorship, partnership, and peer network of Asymmetry, as well as the vibrant artistic community of Delfina Foundation’s residency programme, the Writer-in-Residence will have the chance to initiate self-driven independent research, including visits to institutions, archives, and artist studios. The exposure to the institutional landscape in London will create unique opportunities for dialogue and exchange with fellow curators, artists, and cultural producers, and further expand the recipient’s experience for personal growth and professional development. The residency will culminate in a presentation across Asymmetry HQ and Delfina Foundation in winter 2025.
This residency marks an evolution of the collaboration between Asymmetry and Delfina Foundation, which to date has produced multiple successful fellowships including three Curatorial Fellows in partnership with Whitechapel Gallery, and two Curatorial Writing Fellows and the current Curatorial Research Fellow in partnership with Chisenhale Gallery. During their placements, our fellows have curated and assist-curated institutional exhibitions such as ‘Anna Mendelssohn: Speak, Poetess’ (2023-2024), ‘Action, Gesture, Paint: Women Artists and Global Abstraction 1940-70’ (2023), and ‘Galleries in the Groove: Three Visionary Dealers, 1960s-80s’ (2021-2022), and produced project outcomes such as multi-part programme series ‘Polyphonic Bodies’ (2022) and publication project ‘KUA 跨’ (2022).
The Asymmetry Writer-in-Residence expands our core initiatives in placements and partnerships with leading global institutions and beyond, alongside the Curatorial Research Fellowship at Chisenhale Gallery, the PhD Scholarship for the ‘Advanced Practices’ programme at Goldsmiths, University of London, the Postdoctoral Fellowship at The Courtauld Institute of Art, the Curator and Adjunct Curator posts at Tate Modern, and most recently, the Curatorial Fellowship at SculptureCenter, New York.
About Delfina Foundation
Founded in 2007, Delfina Foundation is dedicated to facilitating artistic exchange and developing creative practice through residencies, partnerships and public programming, from exhibitions to performances. Its interrelated residency and public programmes offer opportunities for artists, curators and thinkers to incubate and produce new ideas for local and global audiences.
Partner:
Delfina Foundation, London