The Sigg Fellowship for Chinese Art Research 2022/23 funds new research on Chinese art in collaboration with the M+ Collections.
Application deadline: November 30, 2022, 11:59pm
Conceptual Art originated in China in the 1980s, during the ’85 New Wave Movement, and was represented by the artist groups Xiamen Dada, Pond Society in Hangzhou, and the New Measurement Group in Beijing. These organizations were founded in three to five years and later collapsed owing to a variety of circumstances. These Conceptual Art groups abandoned traditional visual expression and materiality, in contrast to the humanistic perspective and emphasis on aesthetic and emotional expression that characterized new art trends at the period. They emphasized concepts and rationality within the artistic process, and the primary mediums of expression were actions, language, and live performance. Despite being eclipsed by more well-known groups such as Political Pop and Cynical Realism, their work had a significant impact on the development of Conceptualism, multimedia expansion, and curatorial practices in modern Chinese art.
We hope that the research in this edition of the Sigg Fellowship will provide a comprehensive understanding of the theoretical and linguistic origins of Conceptualism in China, particularly in terms of collective and individual practices, relationships to global art, and subsequent influence on the history and context of Chinese art.
Individuals or research groups of all nationalities, regardless of age, are encouraged to apply. The provision of the fellowship, however, is contingent on the fellow’s ability to get a visa for Hong Kong. Applicants must have a postgraduate degree in a relevant discipline or an undergraduate degree with at least three years of relevant professional or academic research experience. It is also necessary to be fluent in both spoken and written Chinese or English.
Shortlisted candidates might be invited to an in-person or remote interview. Results will be announced in early 2023. Members of the Jury are:
–Claire Bishop (Professor of Art History, CUNY Graduate Center)
–Doryun Chong (M+ Deputy Director, Curatorial and Chief Curator)
–Pi Li (M+ Sigg Senior Curator and Head of Curatorial Affairs)
The selected fellow will be assigned to M+ for a duration of three to six months. They will create their proposed project in response to the research theme and will have access to the M+ Collections both on-site and online, as well as library and archival materials. They will also give several internal presentations and participate in discussions with curators and other staff members. The fellowship will culminate in a public lecture in Hong Kong and the publication of an essay in Chinese (at least 5,000 characters) or English (at least 7,500 words) in M+ Magazine.
The fellow will be awarded a grant of 200,000 HKD to cover all expenses, including travel, living, insurance, and research-related costs.
How to apply
Applicants are required to provide (in English or Chinese):
–A research proposal (no more than 1,000 words).
–A full curriculum vitae covering education, professional experience, honours, awards, and publications.
–Two letters of recommendation (academic or professional) submitted directly from the referees.
The deadline for submitting the application is November 20, 2022, 11:59pm (UTC +8). Please submit applications in digital formats and all enquiries to siggfellowship [at] mplus.org.hk using the following email subject line format: [M+ Sigg Fellowship 2022/23 Application] SURNAME, First name
For more information, please visit here.