# Hu Chao (胡超) — Art Historian & Curator

> Hu Chao (胡超) is an art historian, curator and cultural writer, a Research Associate Professor at the Center for New Art Museum Studies, Guangzhou Academy of Fine Arts (GAFA), and a PhD graduate of the Central Academy of Fine Arts (CAFA).
> 胡超是艺术史学者、策展人与文化写作者，中央美术学院博士，广州美术学院新美术馆学研究中心副研究员。

## Professional identity & approach / 身份与研究方法

Art history and curating are the central identities of this website. Research, exhibitions, academic publishing, teaching and public writing are connected parts of Hu Chao's practice. His research begins with connections between China and Southeast Asia and follows artists, images, objects and institutions into global histories of exchange, cultural memory and power. “Thinking from within Asia” names a situated starting point for thinking about the world; it does not limit the work to a closed regional perspective.

艺术史研究与策展是胡超实践的核心，学术出版、教学和公共写作由此展开。“跨越亚洲内部，思考世界”以中国与东南亚之间的联系为研究出发点，追踪艺术家、图像、物件与机构的跨境流动，连接全球艺术史、文化记忆与权力关系。亚洲是观察世界的立足点，并非研究的地理边界。

## Academic positioning & research framework / 学术定位与核心研究领域

### 1. National museum systems, identity & cultural diplomacy / 国家博物馆体系、国民身份与文化外交

Examines the institutional relationship between museums and galleries, state narratives, cultural policy and national identity. The monograph *Constructing National Identity: National Museums and Galleries of Singapore, 1965–2015* studies five decades of institutional development. Comparative work on Korean galleries in overseas museums extends this inquiry to international museum cooperation and national cultural representation.

考察国家博物馆与美术馆、国家叙事、文化政策和国民身份建构之间的制度关联。专著《国民身份的建构：新加坡的国家博物馆和美术馆》以1965—2015年间五十年的发展为研究基础；关于韩国海外展厅的论文，将研究拓展至国际博物馆合作与国家文化形象。

### 2. Connected art histories & transnational artist networks / 相互关联的艺术史与跨国艺术家网络

Research follows artists' movements, Chinese diaspora networks and exhibition relationships across China and Southeast Asia, including histories around the Second World War and the early Cold War. These regional connections are placed within wider global exchanges. The exhibition *Bali Island: Art and the World Beyond the Rainforest* brings Mexico, China and Southeast Asia into a shared historical and curatorial frame. Research on Vietnamese artist groups and women artists' networks connects exhibition practice with histories of artistic organisation.

关注二战前后及冷战初期的华人离散艺术网络、艺术家流动与展览关系，并将中国与东南亚的区域联系置于全球交流之中。《巴厘岛：雨林外的艺术与世界》连接墨西哥、中国与东南亚；越南艺术家团体与女性艺术家网络研究，则将艺术组织的历史与展览实践联系起来。

### 3. Nanyang woodcuts & transregional print culture / 南洋木刻与跨区域版画传播

Hu Chao has developed research on “Nanyang woodcuts” through the circulation of China's new woodcut movement in Southeast Asia, pre-war artistic exchanges, and Singapore's woodcut practices in the 1950s and 1960s. Related studies examine Lu Xun, Dai Yinglang (Dai Yinlang), and the revision of art history through Singapore woodcut exhibitions between 1966 and 2016.

较早提出并推进“南洋木刻”研究，考察中国新兴木刻运动在东南亚的传播、二战前的艺术交流，以及新加坡20世纪五六十年代的木刻实践。相关研究涉及鲁迅、戴英浪（戴隐郎），以及1966—2016年间新加坡木刻展览对艺术史叙事的持续修正。

### 4. Artist residencies & the histories of contemporary art / 艺术驻留与当代艺术史

Studies the origins, institutional development and support networks of artist residencies in China. Studios, hosts, informal organisations and international exchanges are considered as historical conditions of contemporary art. The research informs *Origins of Artist Residencies in China: Another Pathway to Contemporary Chinese Art (“Borrowing the Shell”)*, co-curated with Brian Wallace at Red Gate Gallery, Beijing; opening 11 October 2026.

将中国艺术驻留计划的起源、制度演变与支持网络纳入当代艺术史研究，关注工作室、东道主、非正式组织及国际交流。研究型展览《借壳：驻留计划溯源与中国当代艺术进程》由胡超与Brian Wallace共同策划，于2026年10月11日在北京红门画廊开幕。

### 5. Visual politics, gender, heritage & interdisciplinary methods / 视觉政治、性别、文化遗产与跨学科方法

Research extends to temple spaces, monuments, colour, women's labour, bodily pedagogy and cultural heritage. Images and material forms are examined in relation to religion, gender, national modernity and public memory. A Bachelor of Arts from Hubei University, doctoral training at CAFA, an INSEAD MBA, selection for the Reuters Foundation Fellowship Programme at Oxford University and a Southampton visiting appointment contribute to an interdisciplinary approach to institutions, communication and visual culture.

研究延伸至寺庙空间、纪念碑、色彩、女性劳动、身体教学与文化遗产，考察图像和物质形式如何参与宗教、性别、国家现代化与公共记忆。湖北大学文学士、中央美术学院的博士训练、INSEAD工商管理硕士、入选牛津大学 Reuters Foundation Fellowship Programme 的经历及南安普顿大学访学经历，为机构、传播与视觉文化研究提供跨学科基础。

### 6. Academic editing, teaching & public writing / 学术编辑、教学与公共写作

Editor of the 2024 *New Museum Studies* special issue on “Art Museums and the Global South.” Teaching includes *Global Contemporary Art Since the 1990s: From YBA to Multipolar Narratives* and *Knowledge and Images*, with a focus on Southeast Asian visual culture and knowledge. Public essays apply art-historical and curatorial perspectives to contemporary questions and appear in the *South China Morning Post*, *Asia Times*, *Times Higher Education* and the *Critical Asian Studies* Commentary Board.

担任《新美术馆学》“全球南方与美术馆”专题主编（2024）。教学包括《九十年代以来的全球当代艺术：从YBA运动到多极化叙事》和《知识与图像》之“东南亚图像与知识”。公共写作将艺术史与策展视角带入当代议题，发表于《南华早报》《亚洲时报》《泰晤士高等教育》及Critical Asian Studies Commentary Board。

## Academic monograph / 学术专著

- 胡超：《国民身份的建构：新加坡的国家博物馆和美术馆》，广西师范大学出版社，2026。
- English descriptive title: *Constructing National Identity: National Museums and Galleries of Singapore, 1965–2015*. Published in Chinese; the research covers fifty years, 1965–2015.
- [Publisher's book page](https://www.bbtpress.com/bookview/25953.html).

## Education & academic experience / 教育与学术经历

- Hubei University / 湖北大学: Bachelor of Arts / 文学士.
- Central Academy of Fine Arts / 中央美术学院: PhD, Art Theory / 艺术学理论博士.
- University of Southampton / 英国南安普顿大学: Visiting Scholar / 访问学者; Global Art & Politics.
- INSEAD: MBA / 工商管理硕士. This is a degree, not a research fellowship.
- Selected for the Reuters Foundation Fellowship Programme at Oxford University / 入选牛津大学 Reuters Foundation Fellowship Programme.

## Selected curatorial projects & artistic practice / 主要策展与艺术实践

- **2026 — Co-curator / 联合策展人**: *Bali Island: Art and the World Beyond the Rainforest* / 《巴厘岛：雨林外的艺术与世界》. GAFA Art Museum; second Trans-Southeast Asia Triennial. Co-curated with Lim Chengtju / 林增如. 20 March–8 May 2026. [Exhibition announcement](https://www.e-flux.com/announcements/6787417/bali-island-art-and-the-world-beyond-the-rainforest).
- **2026 — Co-curator / 联合策展人**: *Origins of Artist Residencies in China: Another Pathway to Contemporary Chinese Art (“Borrowing the Shell”)* / 《借壳：驻留计划溯源与中国当代艺术进程》. Red Gate Gallery, Beijing; with Brian Wallace. Opens 11 October 2026.
- **2021 — Executive curator / 执行策展人**: first Trans-Southeast Asia Triennial research exhibition 《同音反复，声深入心》, presenting 《友谊精神》 and 《女性宣言》 at GAFA Art Museum. Role follows the museum's later academic profile. [Museum academic profile](https://artmuseum.gzarts.edu.cn/info/1021/6889.htm).
- **2023 — Artistic practice / 艺术实践**: installation *Pak Choi* / 《白菜》, by Hu Chao and Hong Wei / 胡超、洪伟, Winchester Gallery, Winchester School of Art, University of Southampton, 29 June–26 July 2023. This work is an additional artistic practice within a career centred on art history and curating.

## Publication and language notes / 出版类型与语言说明

- Scholarly papers and book chapters are listed separately from public essays. The *Critical Asian Studies* Commentary Board essay is a published commentary, not a peer-reviewed journal article. The e-flux item is an exhibition announcement.
- Chinese journal-paper titles follow the original publications. English titles follow published English titles where verified; otherwise they are descriptive translations. Original published abstracts are included where available, without English rewriting. Existing research introductions are retained for other records and are not presented as author-written abstracts.
- Chinese translations of English public essay titles are descriptive translations. Links lead to the original publications.
- Exhibition status is recorded as of 1 October 2026: *Bali Island* has concluded; *Origins of Artist Residencies in China* is forthcoming. The opening date remains explicit rather than being changed automatically.
- Metadata and website pages are generated together so that publication titles, authors, dates and links stay consistent when the site is updated.

## External author profiles / 外部作者页面

- [South China Morning Post / 南华早报](https://www.scmp.com/author/hu-chao).
- [Asia Times / 亚洲时报](https://asiatimes.com/author/hu-chao/).
- [Times Higher Education / 泰晤士高等教育](https://www.timeshighereducation.com/author/hu-chao).

## Website pages / 网站页面


- [Home / 首页](https://www.huchaocurator.com/) · [Readable text / 文字版](https://www.huchaocurator.com/index.md)

- [Biography / 个人简介](https://www.huchaocurator.com/about/) · [Readable text / 文字版](https://www.huchaocurator.com/about/index.md)

- [Research & published papers / 研究与论文](https://www.huchaocurator.com/research/) · [Readable text / 文字版](https://www.huchaocurator.com/research/index.md)

- [Selected curatorial projects / 主要策展](https://www.huchaocurator.com/exhibitions/) · [Readable text / 文字版](https://www.huchaocurator.com/exhibitions/index.md)

- [Public writing / 公共写作](https://www.huchaocurator.com/writing/) · [Readable text / 文字版](https://www.huchaocurator.com/writing/index.md)

- [Selected artworks / 精选作品](https://www.huchaocurator.com/artworks/) · [Readable text / 文字版](https://www.huchaocurator.com/artworks/index.md)

- [Contact / 联系](https://www.huchaocurator.com/contact/) · [Readable text / 文字版](https://www.huchaocurator.com/contact/index.md)


## Scholarly publications / 学术论文与书籍章节


### Art across China & Southeast Asia / 中国与东南亚之间的艺术


- [“隐逸的郎君”还是“英雄的浪花”？——中国现代木刻海外传播的先驱戴英浪（戴隐郎）](https://www.huchaocurator.com/research/papers/dai-yinglang/): 胡超；美术学报；2024。

  Dai Yinglang (Dai Yinlang): A Pioneer in the Overseas Circulation of Modern Chinese Woodcuts. Art Journal. Journal article.

  Original language: Chinese / 原文语言：中文.

- [中国当代艺术在东南亚——从二十一世纪初的四个展览谈起](https://www.huchaocurator.com/research/papers/chinese-contemporary-art-southeast-asia/): 胡超；艺术收藏与鉴赏；2024。

  Chinese Contemporary Art in Southeast Asia: Four Exhibitions at the Beginning of the Twenty-First Century. Art Collection and Appreciation. Journal article.

  Original language: Chinese / 原文语言：中文.

- [国境之南的镜像：越南当代艺术四十五年——1975–2020年越南艺术家团体历史](https://www.huchaocurator.com/research/papers/vietnam-artist-groups/): 胡超；世界美术；2023 (3): 29–37。

  A Mirror South of the Border: Forty-Five Years of Contemporary Vietnamese Art, 1975–2020. World Art. Journal article.

  Original language: Chinese / 原文语言：中文.

  [Full text PDF / 论文全文](https://www.huchaocurator.com/research/papers/vietnam-artist-groups/vietnam-artist-groups.pdf).

  DOI: https://doi.org/10.13318/j.cnki.sjms.2023.03.007.

- [鲁迅和南洋木刻——二战前新兴木刻在东南亚的传播](https://www.huchaocurator.com/research/papers/lu-xun-nanyang-woodcuts/): 胡超；美术学报；2023 (3): 97–105。

  Lu Xun and Nanyang Woodcuts: The Circulation of the New Woodcut Movement in Southeast Asia before the Second World War. Art Journal. Journal article.

  Original language: Chinese / 原文语言：中文.

  [Full text PDF / 论文全文](https://www.huchaocurator.com/research/papers/lu-xun-nanyang-woodcuts/lu-xun-nanyang-woodcuts.pdf).

- [展览持续推动的艺术史修正：新加坡五个木刻展览（1966–2016）](https://www.huchaocurator.com/research/papers/singapore-woodcut-exhibitions/): 胡超；画刊；2022 (9)。

  Exhibitions and the Revision of Art History: Five Singapore Woodcut Exhibitions, 1966–2016. Art Monthly. Journal article.

  Original language: Chinese / 原文语言：中文.

- [中国新兴木刻运动的南洋回响——新加坡20世纪五六十年代的木刻版画研究](https://www.huchaocurator.com/research/papers/singapore-new-woodcuts/): 胡超；美术；2021 (11): 18–24。

  China’s New Woodcut Movement Echoed in Southeast Asia: A Study of Woodcut Prints in Singapore in the 1950s and 1960s. Art. Journal article.

  Original language: Chinese / 原文语言：中文.

  [Full text PDF / 论文全文](https://www.huchaocurator.com/research/papers/singapore-new-woodcuts/singapore-new-woodcuts.pdf).

  DOI: https://doi.org/10.13864/j.cnki.cn11-1311/j.006551.

### Museums, identity & cultural memory / 美术馆／博物馆、国家身份与文化记忆


- [族群历史与国家记忆——从晚晴园纪念馆看新加坡华人与中国的历史联系](https://www.huchaocurator.com/research/papers/wan-qing-yuan/): 胡超；华侨华人历史研究；2022 (4): 21–29。

  Between an Ethnic Legacy and National Memory: Revising Chinese History at the Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall in Singapore. Journal of Overseas Chinese History Studies. Journal article.

  Original language: Chinese / 原文语言：中文.

  [Full text PDF / 论文全文](https://www.huchaocurator.com/research/papers/wan-qing-yuan/wan-qing-yuan.pdf).

- [作为国家现代化象征的厨房设计——以新加坡国家博物馆的厨房装置为例](https://www.huchaocurator.com/research/papers/kitchen-national-modernity/): 胡超、黄虹；装饰；2022 (10): 103–108。

  Modern Kitchen Design as National and Modern Symbol: Taking the Kitchen Installation at the National Museum of Singapore as an Example. Zhuangshi. Journal article.

  Original language: Chinese / 原文语言：中文.

  [Full text PDF / 论文全文](https://www.huchaocurator.com/research/papers/kitchen-national-modernity/kitchen-national-modernity.pdf).

  DOI: https://doi.org/10.16272/j.cnki.cn11-1392/j.2022.10.011.

- [海外展厅里的文化形象——韩国以博物馆国际合作推动的国家文化身份建构](https://www.huchaocurator.com/research/papers/korean-galleries/): 胡超；美术观察；2022 (4)。

  Cultural Images in Overseas Galleries: Korea’s Construction of National Cultural Identity through International Museum Cooperation. Art Observation. Journal article.

  Original language: Chinese / 原文语言：中文.

  [Full text PDF / 论文全文](https://www.huchaocurator.com/research/papers/korean-galleries/korean-galleries.pdf).

### Artist residencies & support networks / 艺术驻留与支持网络


- [Research exhibition: Origins of Artist Residencies in China (“Borrowing the Shell”) / 研究型展览《借壳》](https://www.huchaocurator.com/exhibitions/#borrowing-the-shell).

### Images, objects & political life / 图像、物件与政治生活


- [佑顺寺关公殿：藏传佛教最早的关公崇拜探源](https://www.huchaocurator.com/research/papers/youshun-temple/): 胡超；中国藏学；2023 (3): 150–159。

  The Guandi Hall at Youshun Temple: Tracing the Early Worship of Guan Gong in Tibetan Buddhism. China Tibetology. Journal article.

  Original language: Chinese / 原文语言：中文.

  [Full text PDF / 论文全文](https://www.huchaocurator.com/research/papers/youshun-temple/youshun-temple.pdf).

- [从华人民俗到国家非遗——马来西亚新山游神中的华人身份研究](https://www.huchaocurator.com/research/papers/johor-chingay/): 胡超；文化遗产；2021 (4): 135–143。

  From Chinese Folk Tradition to National Intangible Heritage: Chinese Identity in the Johor Bahru Chingay Parade. Cultural Heritage. Journal article.

  Original language: Chinese / 原文语言：中文.

  [Full text PDF / 论文全文](https://www.huchaocurator.com/research/papers/johor-chingay/johor-chingay.pdf).

### Artist networks, gender & education / 艺术家网络、性别与教育


- [女性艺术家团体、策展人和世界艺术家网络——“女性宣言”现象中艺术家和展览机制研究](https://www.huchaocurator.com/research/papers/women-artists-networks/): 胡超；湖北美术学院学报；2024。

  Women Artists’ Groups, Curators and Global Artist Networks: Artists and Exhibition Structures in the Women’s Manifesto. Journal of Hubei Institute of Fine Arts. Journal article.

  Original language: Chinese / 原文语言：中文.

- [艺术设计类专业如何引入当代艺术观念——以“身体的教学”为例](https://www.huchaocurator.com/research/papers/teaching-the-body/): 胡超；美育学刊；2023 (5): 61–69。

  The Teaching of Body: On the Integration of Contemporary Art Discussions into the Teaching of Art and Design. Journal of Aesthetic Education. Journal article.

  Original language: Chinese / 原文语言：中文.

  [Full text PDF / 论文全文](https://www.huchaocurator.com/research/papers/teaching-the-body/teaching-the-body.pdf).

  DOI: https://doi.org/10.20073/j.cnki.2095-0012.2023.05.009.

  Reprinted in Art Theory, Renmin University Reprinted Materials, February 2024. / 2024年2月，由中国人民大学复印报刊资料《艺术学理论》转载。

- [政治叙事中失落的女性主义先驱——三个不同社会中女性群体的共同故事](https://www.huchaocurator.com/research/papers/feminist-pioneers/): 胡超；Art, Design and Society — Global Perspectives；2021: 119–126。

  Feminist Pioneers Lost in Political Narratives — Same Story of Three Women Groups from Different Societies. Art, Design and Society — Global Perspectives. Book chapter.

  Original language: English / 原文语言：英文.

  [Full text PDF / 论文全文](https://www.huchaocurator.com/research/papers/feminist-pioneers/feminist-pioneers.pdf).

  Edited by Anupa Pande and Savita Kumari. New Delhi: Macmillan Education, 2021. / Anupa Pande、Savita Kumari 主编。新德里：Macmillan Education，2021年。

- [粉红的故事：色彩的性别、政治和消解](https://www.huchaocurator.com/research/papers/stories-of-pink/): 胡超；西北美术；2020 (3): 77–84。

  Stories of Pink: Colour, Gender, Politics and Their Transformation. Northwest Fine Arts. Journal article.

  Original language: Chinese / 原文语言：中文.

  [Full text PDF / 论文全文](https://www.huchaocurator.com/research/papers/stories-of-pink/stories-of-pink.pdf).

  DOI: https://doi.org/10.13772/j.cnki.61-1042/j.2020.03.019.


## Selected public essays / 已发表公共写作


- [We Southeast Asians Can Think for Ourselves. Keep Your Geopolitical Obsession](https://criticalasianstudies.org/commentary/2026/9/28/notes-from-the-field-hu-chao-we-southeast-asians-can-think-for-ourselves-keep-your-geopolitical-obsession): Critical Asian Studies, 28 September 2026; Notes from the Field. 我们东南亚人可以自己思考。请收起你的地缘政治执念。

- [What Hong Kong cinema can take away from a popular Chinese war film](https://www.scmp.com/opinion/hong-kong-opinion/article/3367565/what-hong-kong-cinema-can-take-away-popular-chinese-war-film): South China Morning Post, 20 September 2026; Opinion. 香港电影能从一部热门中国战争片中学到什么。

- [When the American aircraft carrier loses its aura](https://asiatimes.com/2026/09/when-the-american-aircraft-carrier-loses-its-aura/): Asia Times, 4 September 2026; Opinion. 当美国航空母舰失去光环。

- [Huanggang Port points to the future of Greater Bay Area travel](https://www.scmp.com/opinion/hong-kong-opinion/article/3363923/huanggang-port-points-future-greater-bay-area-travel): South China Morning Post, 18 August 2026; Opinion. 皇岗口岸与大湾区跨境通行的未来。

- [Security screening undermines UK universities’ EDI proclamations](https://www.timeshighereducation.com/opinion/security-screening-undermines-uk-universities-edi-proclamations): Times Higher Education, 3 August 2026; Opinion. 安全审查如何削弱英国大学的平等、多元与包容承诺。

- [Why Hong Kong’s bilingualism is uniquely indispensable in the AI era](https://www.scmp.com/opinion/article/3358042/why-hong-kongs-bilingualism-uniquely-indispensable-ai-era): South China Morning Post, 26 June 2026; Opinion. 为什么香港的双语能力在AI时代不可或缺。

- [China’s humanoid robots moving in as Asia’s workforce ages out](https://asiatimes.com/2026/06/chinas-humanoid-robots-moving-in-as-asias-workforce-ages-out/): Asia Times, 23 June 2026; Technology. 亚洲劳动力老龄化，中国人形机器人正在入场。


## Selected artistic practice / 精选艺术实践


- [白菜 / Pak Choi](https://www.huchaocurator.com/artworks/#pak-choi): 胡超、洪伟 / Hu Chao & Hong Wei · 2023. Installation / 装置.

- [我为中国增加了18个景点 / I Have Created Eighteen Historic Spots in China](https://www.huchaocurator.com/artworks/#eighteen-historic-spots): 胡超 / Hu Chao · 2018. Photography, installation & performance / 摄影、装置与行为.

- [够格做现代派 / Now Qualified to Be Modernist](https://www.huchaocurator.com/artworks/#qualified-modernist): 胡超 / Hu Chao. Photographic intervention / 摄影与现场介入.

- [长城随想——塞上秋来风景异 / Great Wall Reflections: An Autumn Landscape beyond the Frontier](https://www.huchaocurator.com/artworks/#great-wall-reflections): 胡超 / Hu Chao · 2019. Oil on canvas / 布面油画.

  60 × 80 cm; Youyu, Shanxi / 山西右玉.

- [杀虎口河谷 / Shahukou River Valley](https://www.huchaocurator.com/artworks/#shahukou-valley): 胡超 / Hu Chao · 2019. Oil on canvas / 布面油画.

  60 × 80 cm; Youyu, Shanxi / 山西右玉.

- [草原的风 / Wind across the Grassland](https://www.huchaocurator.com/artworks/#grassland-wind): 胡超 / Hu Chao · 2019. Oil on canvas / 布面油画.

  60 × 80 cm; Ulanqab / 乌兰察布.

- [泉眼无声 / The Spring Flows Quietly](https://www.huchaocurator.com/artworks/#quiet-spring): 胡超 / Hu Chao · 2018. Oil on canvas / 布面油画.

  40 × 60 cm; Pingshan, Hebei / 河北平山.

Painting titles in English are descriptive translations of the original Chinese titles. Collaborative works retain all credited creators. Images on research-area headings link to the artwork collection; these are the author’s artistic works, with their own captions.


## Additional readable material / 更多文字资料

- [Expanded profile and paper summaries / 完整资料与论文简介](https://www.huchaocurator.com/llms-full.txt).