About the Exhibition

The six Asian / Asian American artists featured in We are here because you were there narrate their process for reclaiming or interpreting their lived histories within a post-colonial framework.

Curatorial Statement

We are here because you were there explores the socio-political and cultural impact of post-colonial migration on the Asian American / Asian diaspora.

Borrowing its title from A. Sivanandan’s famous aphorism, the artists from across the Asian American / Asian diaspora featured in this exhibit narrate a process of understanding of how they reclaim or interpret their lived histories within this post-colonial framework. Questioning hegemony, dualism, and difference through subversion, conscious observation, and humor, this exhibit challenges the spectator to reflect on these inquiries via these distinct voices.

Kim Jackson Debord

Laura Kina

Larry Lee

Cori Nakamura Lin

Okyoung Noh

Sherina Rodriguez Sharpe

Opening Reception

Friday, September 8, 6-8 pm

Ann Arbor Art Center
117 W. Liberty St., Ann Arbor, MI

Join us for the opening night of We are here because you were there, which narrates the reclaiming or interpreting of the lived histories of 6 artists within a post-colonial framework.

Artists and Curators will be in attendance.

Free

The A2AC PLAYLAB

Saturday, September 9, 11 am

Ann Arbor Art Center
117 W. Liberty St., Ann Arbor, MI

The A2AC PlayLab is a new no-fee family program in the A2AC Gallery.

Join us Saturday, September 9 at 11 am for a fun morning of Japanese songs and movement with the local performer and music teacher Momo Sensei (Momo Kajiwara)! We will explore singalongs, finger plays, shakers, scarves, movement, and stories!

September’s A2AC PlayLab is best for babies through 6 years of age alongside their caregivers.

Free / pre-registration is required

Sherina Rodriguez Sharpe presents Genesis (rescheduled)

Sunday, March 3, 2024, 3-5pm

Ann Arbor District Library Downtown Branch
343 S. Fifth Ave. Ann Arbor 48104

Join the A2AC in the Ann Arbor District Library’s downtown lobby for an interdisciplinary music and storytelling performance ritual led by Detroit-based artist Sherina Rodriguez Sharpe, a featured artist in the We are here because you were there exhibition.

Free

A2AC Author Series:
We are here because you were there

Saturday, October 14, 11 am

Ann Arbor Art Center
117 W. Liberty St., Ann Arbor, MI

Join us at the next the A2AC Author Series for a morning of food and food-inspired writing! Drawing from their East Asian backgrounds, five Southeast Michigan-based writers respond to the exhibition’s title while drawing inspiration from their cultures’ culinary traditions.

Authors:

• Shannon Daniels
• Grace Han
• A. H. Kim
• Hanna Kim
• Kyunghee Kim
• Michelle Yang

Free

This programming is supported by

Baker 2 Baker: Two Asian American Bakers on Food, Identity, and Community When

Monday, October 16, 6:30 pm

Ann Arbor District Library
Downtown Branch
343 S. Fifth Ave. Ann Arbor 48104

Join us at the Ann Arbor District Library downtown location for this special culinary co-hosted event in tandem with the current A2AC Gallery show titled We are here because you were there. Local Asian-American bakery owners Grace Han of Porch Bakery and Rachel Martindale of Milk and Honey will lead a conversation and demonstration about Asian-American fusion cooking and baking.

Free

Curator & Artist Talk

Saturday, October 21, 11 am

Ann Arbor Art Center
117 W. Liberty St., Ann Arbor, MI

Join us for a special Curator/Artist talk for the A2AC Gallery show We are here because you were there, moderated by University of Michigan LSA professor Manan Desai. Dive deeper into how each artist approaches their studio practice as well as how they relate to the expansive, diverse narratives being told about Asian-American experiences in the U.S. Learn more about how interdisciplinary artist and guest curator Chien-An Yuan is building a solid network of AAPIA artists here in Southeast Michigan.

Free