Applications Call Out

DEADLINE: THURSDAY 12 MAY 2016 AT 6PM AEST

Three early or mid-career artists will embark on a month-long intensive studio program in September 2016 (exact dates to be announced) at the studios of internationally renowned Chinese-Australian artist Shen Shaomin, located in Huairou District on the outskirts of Beijing.

The 4A Beijing Studio Program provides a unique opportunity for artists to research new projects in rich cultural surroundings, build professional networks and observe the changes taking place in one of the most important cities in the Asia region. On their return to Australia the artists will be invited to present their experiences in a public forum and make a proposal for an exhibition at 4A. If successful they will be mentored by 4A in the development of an exhibition in 2017. This is the fourth consecutive year that the program has been running.

The Program covers airfares, accommodation, daily meals, the cost of travel/medical insurance and a small stipend. It will provide an ongoing professional mentorship, cross-cultural exchange and access to 4A’s networks in China.

ABOUT SHEN SHAOMIN

Over the last twenty years Chinese-Australian artist Shen Shaomin has forged an important international career with an emphasis on experimental, conceptual and installation works. Based in Beijing, and having spent over a decade in Australia, Shen’s work spans a number of mediums and explores individual and collective experiences of humanity and their impacts on our natural and constructed surroundings. Shen Shaomin has previously exhibited with 4A in The Floating Eye, Sydney Pavilion, 9th Shanghai Biennale (2012); and presented the solo exhibition, The Day After Tomorrow (2011). His work has been included in Liverpool Biennial (2006) and the 17th Biennale of Sydney (2010). In China he has exhibited at Today Art Museum, Beijing; Tang Contemporary, Beijing; Platform China, Beijing; Shanghai Zendai MoMA, Shanghai; and Osage Gallery, Hong Kong. Across Europe and North America selected exhibitions include, Groniger Museum, Holland; Urs Meile Gallery, Switzerland; ZKM Museum Karlrusche, Germany; Millennium Park, Chicago and Eli Klein Fine Art, New York.

Please read APPLICATION GUIDELINES below and download a 4A BEIJING STUDIO PROGRAM_APPLICATION FORM_2016 for full details.

APPLICATION GUIDELINES

ELIGIBILITY

Application is open to visual artists who are currently Australian permanent residents with less than ten years’ continuous professional experience (including postgraduate studies), or who consider themselves early or mid-career for other reasons.

Please submit support material which has been completed in the last two years. 

PROGRAM PERIOD

Successful artists must be available for travel to Beijing, for one month in the beginning of September 2016 (exact dates to be announced). Once set, dates are not negotiable. The selected artists will be travelling at the same time.

CRITERIA

Successful artists will be chosen based on the quality of their works, reasons for participation, viability of their participation and the potential benefits to the applicant’s artistic development.

REQUIRED INFORMATION

To apply for the 4A Beijing Studio Program please download a copy of the 4A BEIJING STUDIO PROGRAM_APPLICATION FORM_2016 and include the following:

1. A statement of interest detailing why you would like to participate in the Studio Program and how you will benefit from it. Maximum 1 page.

2. A current CV. Maximum 1 page.

3. Support material material comprising a Powerpoint document with 10 images OR video material (10 minutes maximum) supplied as URL link to uploaded content.

Please do not send us original material and note that submitted material will not be returned.

Applications should be submitted via email, post or in person to:

Toby Chapman – Curator

4A Centre for Contemporary Asian Art

In person: Shop 3/181-187 Hay Street Haymarket NSW 2000

Postal address: PO Box K1312 Haymarket Sydney NSW 1240

Email: toby.chapman@4a.com.au

Applications for the 4A Beijing Studio Program 2016 close 6PM AEST Thursday 12 May 2016.

SUPPORT MATERIAL

Please supply images in Powerpoint or PDF at 72-dpi res with your application. Please do not send individual files.

Video material must be uploaded to a website and URL should be supplied for viewing.

AMENITIES

Accommodation and facilities are housed in Shen Shaomin’s studio, 52km from Beijing city centre (approximately 60 mins drive). These are newly built residences. In addition to a stipend, the studio will provide meals daily as well as a driver/translator available for a limited number of days to explore surrounding artists’ studios, galleries and other locations.

Chinese language skills are not necessary.

TERMS & CONDITIONS

• Artists are responsible for obtaining necessary visas for entry into China and appropriate travel/medical insurance.
• Artists are responsible for any excess baggage or freight to/from the Studio Program.
• Artists will be asked to sign an agreement outlining the terms of the Program and their travel.
• Artists will be asked to provide a public presentation of their trip on their return. 

ENQUIRIES

Toby Chapman
Curator
4A Centre for Contemporary Asian Art
181-187 Hay St, Sydney NSW 2000
02 9212 0380
toby.chapman@4a.com.au