Ghost Stories x Asia Art Archive in America: A Conversation with the Asianish Collective
Ghost Stories x Asia Art Archive in America: A Conversation with the Asianish Collective
Art at Americas Society hosted a conversation exploring the impacts of community collaboration with the founding members of the diasporic group.
Speakers:
- Cecile Chong, Multimedia artist and Co-Founder, Asianish Collective
- Gabriel de Guzman, Director of Arts & Chief Curator, Wave Hill and Co-Founder, Asianish Collective
- Sara Jimenez, Artist and Co-Founder, Asianish Collective
- Maia Cruz Palileo, Artist and Co-Founder, Asianish Collective
- Tie Jojima, Curator, Global Contemporary Art, Phillips Collection
- Claire Kim, Manager, Programs and Collections, Asia Art Archive in America
"We welcome anyone in our group who identifies as an artist or works in the arts and has a connection to Asian identity," said Gabriel de Guzman, director of Arts and chief curator at Wave Hill and one of the founding members of the Asianish Collective. In a conversation with his co-founders—artists Sara Jimenez, Cecile Chong, and Maia Cruz Palileo—de Guzman explained that the Asianish Collective was established in 2018 to serve as a platform for the diverse Asian artistic diaspora in the United States.
Since its creation, the Asianish Collective has expanded into a vibrant network of over 230 individuals, engaged in both in-person and virtual gatherings. They collaborate with artistic organizations to create dynamic activities and curate exhibitions. Their recent projects include participations in The Appearance: Art of the Asian Diaspora in Latin America & the Caribbean and Ghost Stories: Highlights from Asia Art Archive in America, both presented at Americas Society in New York from September 4 to December 14, 2024.
During the panel discussion, Asianish members emphasized the importance of mutual support among artists for collective growth. Palileo explained, "The term 'collective' comes from the French 'collectif,' meaning comprehensive, while the Latin prefix 'com' signifies togetherness. It embodies coming together to express under a singular form, a whole consisting of a plurality of individuals. The heart of Asianish is the power of art to share ideas and see things from a different perspective."
