Sunnie Liu, 施洗 (To Baptize), 2022, Installation with televisions, buckets, baptism robes, sound tube, table, incense, and cushions. Image courtesy the artist and Asian American Arts Alliance (A4).
Devoted: Religion in Asian American Art
May 9 - June 4, 2024
Opening Reception: Thursday May 9, 6-8 PM
Gallery hours: Tuesday - Saturday, 12-6 PM
In partnership with Asian American Arts Alliance
Artists
Zain Alam
Shelly Bahl
Baseera Khan
Dew Kim
Heesoo Kwon
Sunnie Liu
Curator: Danielle Wu
Zain Alam, Meter & Light: Day, 2024, 3-channel video, dimensions variable. Photo by Sam B. Jones. Image courtesy the artist and Asian American Arts Alliance (A4).
Asian American Arts Alliance is pleased to partner with EFA Project Space, a program of The Elizabeth Foundation for the Arts, to present Devoted: Religion in Asian American Art, a group exhibition on theological influences in work by Zain Alam, Shelly Bahl, Baseera Khan, Dew Kim, Heesoo Kwon, and Sunnie Liu. Whether practicing or non-practicing, the featured artists draw upon tensions arising from making work as Asian Americans in the context of the United States as a de facto Christian nation.
Though by no means comprehensive in scope, Devoted presents potential facets of religious influence, whether it be divine revelation, challenging dominant theological claims, or simply pious commitment to one’s craft. By following the link between religion and Asian American identity, the exhibition confronts myths of the East as inherently more mystical than the rational West (as voiced in criticisms by Palestinian scholar Edward Said). They also refute the vision of so-called Orientals as “heathens” in need of rescue—as Kathryn Gin Lum has described perceptions of non-Christian immigrants in the US, alongside Indigenous and enslaved Black peoples—that has continued since the nation’s founding. Religious belief, then, plays a central yet under-acknowledged role in racial othering, fomenting some of the most urgent political tensions today and forming a common link of inquiry between the works on view.
About Asian America Arts Alliance
Asian American Arts Alliance (A4) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to ensuring greater representation, equity, and opportunities for Asian American artists and cultural organizations through resource sharing, promotion, and community building.
This exhibition is supported, in part, by public funds from the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs in partnership with the City Council; the National Endowment for the Arts; the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of the Office of the Governor and the New York State Legislature; the Howard Gilman Foundation; and numerous individuals.
Public Programs:
Opening Reception
Thursday, May 9, 6-8 PM
Join us for a gathering with the artists and curator to celebrate the opening of this exhibition.
In person at EFA Project Space
323 W 39th St, 2nd fl, New York, NY 10018
Free and open to the public.
Town Hall: Sanctuary
Tuesday, May 21, 6:30-8:15 PM
Join A4 for a Town Hall on the topic of “sanctuary,” inviting artists to speak on how they examine concepts of refuge and safety in their work. How do you create a zone of safety for yourself and others in your work? How might traditional ideas of security actually be dangerous?
This event is FREE and open to the public, RSVP is required to pitch and/or attend, but please note you do not have to pitch to attend. Interested in pitching?
Please carefully read about the pitch process here.
In person at EFA Project Space
323 W 39th St, 2nd fl, New York, NY 10018
Free and open to the public.
Portfolio in Practice
Tuesday, June 4, 6-8:30 PM
A4 invites AAPI visual artists to register for 1:1 consultations and portfolio reviews with leading NYC-based curators: Howie Chen, Curator, 80WSE Gallery at NYU; Hitomi Iwasaki, Director of Exhibitions + Head Curator, Queens Museum; Jinny Khanduja, Executive Director, CUE Arts; Jasmine Wahi, Founder + Co-Director, Project for Empty Space; Lisa Yin Zhang, Editor, Hyperallergic.
The event consists of a brief introduction of the curators and one-on-one 20-minute sessions made by appointment through online registration, with curators providing close consultation on artist projects.
This is a paid ticketed event:
For more information and registration
In person at EFA Project Space
323 W 39th St, 2nd fl, New York, NY 10018
Heesoo Kwon, A Ritual for Metamorphosis 탈피를 위한 의식, 2019, Video, dimensions variable. Image courtesy the artist and Asian American Arts Alliance (A4).
Installation Photos by Argenis Apolinario
Sunnie Liu, 施洗 (To Baptize), 2022, Installation with televisions, buckets, baptism robes, sound tube, table, incense, and cushions, Dimensions variable. Image courtesy the artist and Asian American Arts Alliance (A4).
From left to right:
Dew Kim, Till I Know What Love Is 01, 2023, Mixed media with metal and beads, 25 x 13 x 9 inches.
Dew Kim, Till I Know What Love Is 02, 2023, Mixed media with metal and beads, 25 x 13 x 9 inches.
Shelly Bahl, Songs of Lament - Ceremonial II (2006-07), 2024, Wax candles, 96 x 96 x 2 inches.
Baseera Khan, Pricket Stand Base, Shaft, and Tray Pink, from the series Law of Antiquities, 2021, Archival C-print, artist’s custom frame, 33 x 24 x 1.5 inches. Edition 1 of 2 + I AP. Image Courtesy of the Artist and Simone Subal Gallery, New York. Photo: Dario Lasagni.
Baseera Khan, Earrings with Attached Headdress Pink, from the series Law of Antiquities, 2021, Archival C-print, artist’s custom frame, 33 x 24 x 1.5 inches. Edition 1 of 2 + I AP. Image Courtesy of the Artist and Simone Subal Gallery, New York. Photo: Dario Lasagni.
Baseera Khan, Unknown Berber Hammer Comb, Hair and Gloves, from the series Law of Antiquities, 2021, Archival C-print, artist’s custom frame, 33 x 24 x 1.5 inches. Edition 1 of 2 + I AP. Image Courtesy of the Artist and Simone Subal Gallery, New York. Photo: Dario Lasagni.
Shelly Bahl, Songs of Lament: Ceremonial-Trinity (1994), #2, 2023, Melted wax candles on ceramic plate, 8 x 8 x 8 inches.
From left to right:
Shelly Bahl, Songs of Lament - Ceremonial II (2006-07), 2024, Wax candles, 96 x 96 x 2 inches.
Baseera Khan, Pricket Stand Base, Shaft, and Tray Pink, from the series Law of Antiquities, 2021, Archival C-print, artist’s custom frame, 33 x 24 x 1.5 inches. Edition 1 of 2 + I AP. Image Courtesy of the Artist and Simone Subal Gallery, New York. Photo: Dario Lasagni.
Baseera Khan, Earrings with Attached Headdress Pink, from the series Law of Antiquities, 2021, Archival C-print, artist’s custom frame, 33 x 24 x 1.5 inches. Edition 1 of 2 + I AP. Image Courtesy of the Artist and Simone Subal Gallery, New York. Photo: Dario Lasagni.
Baseera Khan, Unknown Berber Hammer Comb, Hair and Gloves, from the series Law of Antiquities, 2021, Archival C-print, artist’s custom frame, 33 x 24 x 1.5 inches. Edition 1 of 2 + I AP. Image Courtesy of the Artist and Simone Subal Gallery, New York. Photo: Dario Lasagni.
Shelly Bahl, Songs of Lament: Ceremonial-Trinity (1994), #2, 2023, Melted wax candles on ceramic plate, 8 x 8 x 8 inches.
Dew Kim, Till I Know What Love Is 01, 2023, Mixed media with metal and beads, 25 x 13 x 9 inches.
Dew Kim, Till I Know What Love Is 02, 2023, Mixed media with metal and beads, 25 x 13 x 9 inches.
Shelly Bahl, Songs of Lament - Ceremonial II (2006-07), 2024, Wax candles, 96 x 96 x 2 inches.
Heesoo Kwon, A Ritual for Metamorphosis 탈피를 위한 의식, 2019, Single channel video, 12:00 minutes.
Dew Kim, Till I Know What Love Is 01, 2023, Mixed media with metal and beads, 25 x 13 x 9 inches.
Dew Kim, Till I Know What Love Is 02, 2023, Mixed media with metal and beads, 25 x 13 x 9 inches.
Zain Alam, Meter & Light: Day, 2024, 3-channel audiovisual installation, dimensions variable.
Event Photos by EFA Project Space
