Challenging the media’s portrayal of Asian women

Through art & photography — A new photography show, opening this week at Brisbane’s Metro Arts, confronts the tired cultural stereotypes surrounding east Asian womanhood.

Challenging the expectations at the intersection of race, gender and sexuality, Disobedient Daughters is an all-female group exhibition opening this week at Metro Arts, in Brisbane. The show, which runs until April 21, aims to defy the stereotypes still dominating the (mis)representation of Asian women in mainstream media.

Chinese-born Australian curator Sophia Cai has put together the works of nine artists and collectives, in an attempt to break the cultural mould that typically fetishises and exoticises Asian women as overly submissive or sexualised visual tropes.

“The show was partly inspired by my own experience growing up as a migrant in Australia, as well as what I saw around me in popular media,” she tells Huck. “In a selfish way, I curate exhibitions I wish I could see. In the case of Disobedient Daughters, there is certainly a personal motivation in putting together a show that addresses systemic racism and sexism.”

Mihyun Kang

Mihyun Kang

There is no singular cultural or gender identity, as Cai puts it, and the range of works – mostly portraits and self-portraits, across video and photography – and perspectives she is bringing together is a powerful reflection of that. Artists like Pixy Liao, Zoe Wong and Ma Qiusha push the boundaries of the Asian female experience and blur the line between private and public narratives, personal and collective experiences.

Miyun Kang’s series You are not speaking, but I am listening touches on the themes of identity and isolation, featuring photographs of immigrant Asian women in New York City, as they kneel down in a traditional position of reverence and respect, in different locations across the city. In her Para-Selves self-portraits, artist Gwan Tung Dorothy Lau literally doubles up into multiple passive and aggressive versions of herself, manifesting the struggle to reconcile one’s heritage and independent self.

Must be Beauty by Ma Quisha

Must be Beauty by Ma Quisha

“I think art plays a really important role in provoking dialogue around topical issues. While I don’t believe art can change the world on its own, I do believe that art has the power to instigate and empower critique,” says Cai. But she admits: “Like any other industry, the art world is fallible to its own biases and hierarchy, particularly around topics of representation and visibility.”

Cai argues that major arts institutions in Australia often fail to champion the diverse social fabric of the country, which has a large migrant population as well as a long continuous history of Indigenous culture. “I hope that exhibitions such as this can go some way in addressing these imbalances,” she adds.

Janelle Low

Janelle Low

Dorothy Lau

Dorothy Lau

Sad Asian Girls

Sad Asian Girls

Sancintya Mohini Simpson

Sancintya Mohini Simpson

Disobedient Daughters opens at Metro Arts in Brisbane, Australia, on April 4 and will be running until April 21.

Enjoyed this article? Like Huck on Facebook or follow us on Twitter.

 


Ad

Latest on Huck

A punk rock band performing on stage, with a female lead singer belting into a microphone. Behind them, a colourful mural with graffiti-style text.
Music

Meet the hair-raised radical women of Berlin’s noise punk scene

Powertool — In his new zine, George Nebieridze captures moments of loud rage and quiet intimacy within the German capital’s female-only bands, while exploring the intersections between music, community and anti-establishment politics.

Written by: Miss Rosen

Group of people dancing at a live music performance, with a large "Spaces Beats" sign in the background.
Music

Amid tensions in Eastern Europe, young Latvians are reviving their country’s folk rhythms

Spaces Between the Beats — The Baltic nation’s ancient melodies have long been a symbol of resistance, but as Russia’s war with Ukraine rages on, new generations of singers and dancers are taking them to the mainstream.

Written by: Jack Styler

A person's face surrounded by colourful flowers. The flowers include orange, red, and yellow dahlias, as well as smaller yellow blooms. The person's expression is serious.
Music

Uwade: “I was determined to transcend popular opinion”

What Made Me — In this series, we ask artists and rebels about the about the forces and experiences that shaped who they are. Today, it’s Nigerian-born, South Carolina-raised indie-soul singer Uwade.

Written by: Uwade

Taxidermy alligator with a small monkey sitting on its head, displayed on a wooden shelf with other items.
Culture

Inside the obscured, closeted habitats of Britain’s exotic pets

“I have a few animals...” — For his new series, photographer Jonty Clark went behind closed doors to meet rare animal owners, finding ethical grey areas and close bonds.

Written by: Hannah Bentley

Muscular man with arms crossed in a dark setting, 'Hard Feelings' text overlay.
Sport

Frazer Clarke: “I had a hole in my leg, I’m very lucky to be alive”

Hard Feelings — For our interview column on masculinity and fatherhood, the Olympic boxing medallist speaks to Robert Kazandjian about hard graft, the fear and triumph of his first fight, and returning to the ring after being stabbed on a night out.

Written by: Robert Kazandjian

Close-up view of a woman in a vintage pose, with flowing hair and an outstretched hand, set against a hazy, scenic background.
© Peter Palladino, courtesy of the Peter Palladino Archive.
Culture

Remembering Holly Woodlawn, Andy Warhol muse and trans trailblazer

Love You Madly — A new book explores the actress’s rollercoaster life and story, who helped inspire Lou Reed’s ‘Walk on the Wild Side’.

Written by: Miss Rosen

Signup to our newsletter

Sign up to our newsletter to informed with the cutting edge of sport, music and counterculture, featuring personal takes on the state of media and pop culture from Emma Garland, former Digital Editor of Huck, exclusive interviews, recommendations and more.

Please wait...

Accessibility Settings

Text

Applies the Open Dyslexic font, designed to improve readability for individuals with dyslexia.

Applies a more readable font throughout the website, improving readability.

Underlines links throughout the website, making them easier to distinguish.

Adjusts the font size for improved readability.

Visuals

Reduces animations and disables autoplaying videos across the website, reducing distractions and improving focus.

Reduces the colour saturation throughout the website to create a more soothing visual experience.

Increases the contrast of elements on the website, making text and interface elements easier to distinguish.