WE ARE HERE BECAUSE YOU WERE THERE
Curated by Chien-An Yuan
September 8-October 22, 2023
at the A2AC Gallery

Ann Arbor Art Center
117 W. L:iverty St.
Ann Arbor, MI

Opening Reception: Friday, September 8, 6pm

Featuring work by:
Kim Jackson Debord
Laura Kina
Larry Lee
Cori Nakamura Lin
Okyoung Noh
Sherina Rodriguez Sharpe

About the Exhibition:

The six Asian American artists featured in We are here because you were there narrate their process for reclaiming or interpreting their lived histories within a post-colonial framework.

Curatorial Statement:

We are here because you were there explores the socio-political and cultural impact of post-colonial migration on the Asian American diaspora.

Borrowing its title from noted Sri Lankan Tamil activist A. Sivanandan’s (aka “Siva”) famous aphorism, the six Asian American artists in this exhibition narrate a process of understanding of how they reclaim or interpret their lived histories within this post-colonial framework. Questioning hegemony, dualism, and difference through subversion, conscious observation, and humor, this exhibit challenges the spectator to reflect on these inquiries via these distinct and diverse Asian American voices.

Related Programming:

A2AC Playlab: Saturday, September 9, 11am
Sherina Rodriguez Sharpe: The Tetra: Friday, October 13
A2AC Author Series, Saturday, October 14, 11am
Baker 2 Baker: Monday, October 16, 6:30pm
Curator/Artist Talk: Saturday, October 21, 11am

For event details see: https://www.annarborartcenter.org/we-are-here-because-you-were-there/