Adapted/Adopted: Journeys of Asianx Women
Tipton Gallery, Johnson City, Tennessee
Exhibition Dates: November 2-21, 2023
Opening reception: November 3, first Friday from 6-8pm

ETSU Department of Art & Design and Slocumb Galleries in collaboration with Bravissima! women Sponsoring the Arts, ETSU Student Life & Enrollment, Division of Cross-Disciplinary Studies, Women's, Gender & Sexuality Studies and Tennessee Arts Commission present Adapted/Adopted: Journeys of Asianx Women Artists from November 2-21, 2023 at Tipton Gallery. The public is invited to view the exhibit and attend the opening reception with guests of honor ETSU Associate Provost Dr. Susan McCracken with TriStare Arts and Tennessee Triennial cofounders Carrie and Brian Jobe on November 3, first Friday from 6-8pm

The exhibit explores the creative processes that Asian American women artists employ as adaptation strategies after relocating to the United States. The American women artists featured through an exploration of identity and belonging with additional focus on the transnational adoption phenomenon of Asian descent to American families create amazing work that reconnect, reclaim and empower their new and hybrid identities after experiencing migration, adopted or refugee status.

The exhibit features artists: Leticia Bajuyo, Nina Ghanbarzadeh, Tao Huang, Cindy Leung, Sisavanh Phouthavong, Halide Salam, Nichole Schiller, Eun-Kyung Suh, Haley Takahashi, Jan-Ru Wan, Hong Zhang and AppalAsian poet Lisa Kwong with ETSU alumna storyteller Brooke Hornberger.

A public poetry reading with Lisa Kwong and ETSU Language & Literature poetry program is scheduled on November 8, Wednesday from 3-5pm at Tipton Gallery.

I am honored that my sculptures Hypergrass Runner: Maze, 2022 will on display in this group exhibition.

Using artificial turf as a primary collage medium, I examine the obsessive and repetitive pursuit of a “well-manicured lawn” and desire to contain nature. Supporting these mosaics is a commonly used blue tarp, which has become symbolic of natural disasters like hurricanes and tornadoes for its use to shield or protect desired items from natural elements. This inexpensive and easily discarded material creates a danger for the natural environment.

These materials are combined in these wall runners that run up the wall. Carpet runners are often used to cover hallway floors that have seen better days or carpet areas that look a little worn - a carpet runner is an inexpensive way to refresh decor.

The Tipton Gallery is located at 126 Spring Street, Downtown Johnson City and open Thursdays and Fridays from 5-7pm as well as by appointment. Please email contrera@etsu.edu for more information.