We are pleased to announce the recipient of the Asymmetry Curatorial Fellowship at Whitechapel Gallery, London. Zoe Diao, a Chinese scholar and curator currently based in New York, has been awarded the six-month Fellowship, which begins on 20 September 2021.
The Curatorial Fellowship at Whitechapel Gallery is one of three Asymmetry placements that will begin this autumn in London in partnership with leading UK institutions. In October, Asymmetry will induct their first Scholar onto the ‘Advanced Practices’ PhD programme at Goldsmiths, University of London, and their second Curatorial Writing Fellow at the Chisenhale Gallery, London.
About the Curatorial Fellowship
The Asymmetry Curatorial Fellowship at Whitechapel Gallery is offered to one mid-career curator who identifies with Chinese culture and heritage, based in the region or internationally. The programme provides the curator with a unique opportunity to gain training, skills, and experience in the curatorial workings of Whitechapel Gallery, which has a strong track record of providing training for curators, including through its new MA 'Curating Art and Public Programmes' with London South Bank University.
Additionally, the Fellow will join Delfina Foundation’s renowned residency programme, which will offer further professional opportunities as well as accommodation.
Selected from a high-quality shortlist following an Open Call, Zoe will focus on two related projects – conducting research on art dealers in the 1970s who supported the development of artists way beyond any commercial remit, and contributing to the delivery of a major exhibition about modern and contemporary artists' studios across the world. Additionally, she will have the opportunity to contribute to Delfina Foundation’s programme by presenting her research at internal events and public programmes.
‘Zoe’s profile as a curatorial practitioner, researcher and writer stands out as her work reflects both her academic and her practical skillsets which she has acquired across a range of disciplines and within different cultural contexts. We are excited to welcome Zoe as the next curatorial Fellow at Whitechapel Gallery and look forward to learning where her projects take her.’
—Yan Du, Founder of Asymmetry
‘We are delighted to be able to partner with Asymmetry to offer this Fellowship to a talented emerging curator. Zoe's strong background in exhibition-making combined with rigorous academic training and research on East Asian artists provide a solid foundation for the work she will undertake at Whitechapel Gallery. We are looking forward to furthering cross-cultural dialogues with her.’
—Lydia Yee, Chief Curator, Whitechapel Gallery