Although Asian diasporic communities in the Americas have long been subjects in photography — most often portrayed as exotic ethnic enclaves — they have also sought to challenge this narrow visual framework. This symposium, organized by School of Art Assistant Professor Jeehey Kim, explores the diverse and creative ways that Asian diasporic communities have mobilized photography.
The interdisciplinary event involves scholars, researchers, curators and photographers and analyzes the historical trajectories, cultural productions, political mobilizations and social realities of Asian diasporic communities across the Americas. It draws on Cathy Park Hong’s concept of “minor feelings” — the dissonant emotions arising from the contradictions between lived experiences and dominant narratives about race and identity.
“This framework challenges us to confront discomfort, name the unspoken, and reimagine how Asian diasporas are represented in photography, how photography shapes new forms of belonging, and how it can intervene in public discourse,” Kim says.
Kim said the symposium will collectively address such questions as:
- How has photography documented the migration histories and lived experiences of Asian diasporic communities in the Americas, particularly their connections and disconnections with Indigenous, Black and other migrant groups?
- In what ways has photography shaped or challenged representations of identity — race, gender, sexuality, and belonging — within Asian diasporic contexts?
- How have photographers from Asian diasporic communities used their work for activism, advocacy, or to address systemic racism, xenophobia and violence?
What role does photography play in exploring transnational connections and the intersections of globalization, digital media and diaspora?
Schedule
April 26 (Saturday)
Opening Remarks (9:30 a.m.)
- Colin Blakely, Director, School of Art, University of Arizona
Panel 1 (10 a.m.-noon)
- Mia Liu, Assistant Professor, Johns Hopkins University
- Stephanie Tung, Byrne Family Curator of Photography, Peabody Essex Museum
- Boyoung Chang, Assistant Professor, University of Alberta
- Hamin Kim, PhD Student, Boston University
- Moderator: Jeehey Kim, Assistant Professor, University of Arizona
Special Session: Chinese Chorizo Project Noon-12:30 p.m.
Lunch Break (12:30-2 p.m.)
Panel 2 (2-4 p.m.)
- Elena Tajima Creef, Professor, Wellesley College
- Qiang Hu, PhD Student, UC San Diego
- María Beatriz H. Carrión, PhD Candidate, CUNY The Graduate Center & Assistant Curator of Photographs, Amon Carter Museum of American Art
- Yechen Zhao, Assistant Curator of Photography, Art Institute of Chicago
- Moderator: Thy Phu, Distinguished Professor, University of Toronto
Keynote speech (4:30-5:30 p.m.)
- Osamu James Nakagawa
April 27 (Sunday)
Panel 3 Artist Talk (9:30-11:30 a.m.)
- Pok Chi Lau, Annu Palakunnathu Matthew, Susan Sponsler, Brian Van Lau
- Moderator: Jeehey Kim, Assistant Professor of Art History, University of Arizona
Closing Remarks
- Todd Tubitus, Director, Center for Creative Photography
