Artists

Photo Credit: NIU Chun-Chiang

Erica Yu-Wen Huang

The usually crowded public library near Bryant Park is almost empty.
The “New York” magazine on the supermarket shelf writes “Don’t Panic” on its cover.
The “Time Landscape” which is surrounded by tall buildings.
The nameplate of “Time Landscape.”
Various fruit seeds were hanging on the fence of La Guardia Corner Garden.
A view of my studio at ISCP Open Studio on 14th November 2021.
Introducing my ongoing online screening project, “Body Perception,” to visiting audience.
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Erica Yu-Wen Huang

Location USA / New York, NY
Residency International Studio & Curatorial Program (ISCP)
Year of the Grant 2020
Erica Yu-Wen Huang holds a Master's degree in the Department of Museum Studies at the University of Leicester, U.K. She was the curator of the exhibition and learning at the Centre for Heritage, Arts and Textile in Hong Kong and adjunct lecturer at the Institute of Applied Arts at National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University in Taiwan. She is currently an independent art curator, mainly focusing on multicultural configurations, migration and mobility, geopolitics, and the dynamic relationship between natures, humans, and the environment in contemporary society.

Her recent curated exhibitions are: "The World is yet to Come" at the Museum of Contemporary Art Taipei (2021). "Post-Anthropocene, Collateral Exhibition of Taiwan Biennial," co-curated with Andre Chan at Zit-Dim Art Space, Taiwan (2020). "Sea Views: We Meet at the Seaside," co-curated with Nina-Maria Oförsagd, at Dalsbruk, Finland (2019). She has joined several curatorial fellowship and residency programs, including ISCP in New York, U.S., Gwangju Museum of Art in Korea, and Turner Galleries in Perth, Western Australia, and Cité Internationale des Arts in Paris, France.

Artist Statement:

I arrived at ISCP for curator residency in March 2020. It was the worst time of the COVID-19 pandemic. Dealing with the severest plague in a foreign country made me mentally and physically suffer. This hazardous environment worried me, therefore, I decided to return to Taiwan and prepare myself ready for the next departure in October 2021.

In November 2021, I participated in the Autumn Open Studio organized by ISCP. I divided my studio into two corners. I showed the videos of my ongoing project, "Body Perception," on the one side. On the other side, I demonstrated the publicities and writings of my past curated exhibitions, including "The World is yet to Come" at the Museum of Contemporary Art Taipei. I displayed the art book "Quarantine the Past" by Liu Yao Chung and "Paper roaring news" by Lin Ying Chieh.

On the day of Open Studio, I made weed tea, collected from Treasure Hill and South Taipei City by an artist group called Weed Day in Taiwan. The smell of tea was an opening to my environment research project demonstration. Many people were curious about the aroma of the tea, and they shared with me their experiences with tea, nature, and plants. Some of the guests even suggested artists and places in New York which would benefit my research.

In addition, I met the curator of Art in Public, Tamsin Dillon, through a studio visit arranged by ISCP. She introduced me to Meredith Johnson, the chief curator of The Trust for Governors Island. At that time, the New York City government announced that it would establish a Climate Change Center on Governors Island to research climate change. I was interested in this project very much. I felt grateful to have the chance to connect with the professionals who work in this field and found opportunities for my future research projects.

I think my residency experience in New York this time differs significantly from the previous ones. Coronavirus changed our regular lives. People are getting used to taking meetings, workshops, and visiting exhibitions online, yet still longing for face-to-face interactive and physical activities. The network I established in New York still needs time to grow. The only thing I can do is to carry on my research while witnessing where the post pandemic future would lead us to.

Author: Erica Yu-Wen Huang
Edited: Brix
About International Studio & Curatorial Program (ISCP)