Your recent appointment as the first chief executive of the Chinese Canadian Museum is a huge achievement, congratulations! What will this role see you doing?
I feel honored to be placed in this position to steward the cultural histories of Chinese Canadians. And of course, it’s personal too. I was born and raised in Vancouver, Canada, my grandmother went grocery shopping in Chinatown on the weekends with me where the new museum is located. Some of my family goes back several generations in Vancouver. I feel a strong connection to telling the stories of our community that become not only Chinese community stories, but Canadian historical stories.
I think a CEO must play the important role of not just being a visionary and creating great creative programming (although that’s crucial too), but also making sure the museum is a viable financial institution that prioritizes sustainability. I hope to be an authentic leader, creating relationships, but also embodying pragmatism, keeping a close eye on the financials, always building, and supporting infrastructure and supporting staff.
Can you talk to us about the importance and significance of the museum?
The establishment of Canada’s first Chinese Canadian Museum comes at a critical time and addresses the need for ongoing public education surrounding cultural respect and inclusion. During the global pandemic, anti-Asian racism has increased eight-fold, and this disturbing trend must be addressed. The museum will be a vital part of the restitution process. It will give substance to formal and public apologies made by the federal, provincial, and municipal governments since 2006 for past systemic and legislated exclusionary practices against the Chinese communities in Canada.
What brought you to UC to study your masters?
I was so lucky to have a great thesis supervisor Professor Mark Williams who was integral in shaping my research work on defamiliarizing suburban 1950s American culture between Vladimir Nabokov and Thomas Pynchon. I also was always curious about the Southern hemisphere, I loved new experiences, adventure and traveling in my 20s. I ended up marrying an Australian so we go back to this part of the world regularly now.
Has your career evolved the way you expected?
Not at all! I actually became interested in art during my time at the University of Canterbury, my office mate Hamish Win was very involved in the art world and so I went along to art openings with him and began writing art reviews, eventually for a time becoming the UC arts editor and became involved in the Student of Fine Arts Gallery, Canterbury (SOFA). One could say that my art and museum career began at Canterbury. Afterward, I moved to Hong Kong and continued my art career before returning to Vancouver in 2019.
What experiences or highlights from your time here stand out?
Definitely making such good friends with so many Kiwi students, some friendships which remain active to this day. I loved going to the Foundry, having flat whites in the morning with ANZAC biscuits and lamingtons. I also made close friendships with many Māori artists that I sometimes see at global art events. Jonathan Smart Gallery was a highlight and the entire visual arts and literature community that was so welcoming to a Canadian international student like myself! Thank you Canterbury!
