Little Being in the Great Art Worlds

: an anthropological study on self, creativity, aspiration and escape among young Chinese artists in London

Abstract

This thesis delves into the life and art-practice experiences of young Chinese artists (also Chinese-speaking and Sino-phone artists) navigating the art scenes of London. Drawing from a year-long fieldwork study, it explores the nuanced interplay between being in and out, belonging and exclusion within the perceived art worlds. By examining the challenges faced by these artists in reconciling their cultural identities with the expectations of emerging in the art world, the research aims to elucidate the intricate dynamics of being creative and perceiving authenticity. In particular, it interrogates the notion that Chineseness cannot seamlessly merge with diasporic experiences in the realm of artistic perception and practice, uncovering the role and limitations of identity politics in shaping and sometimes constraining artistic expression. Through ethnographic participation and experimental narratives, for example, in forms of play and short fiction, this study engages in conversations on anthropology and literature, creative ethnographies, and the transformative power of artistic expression in transcending cultural boundaries.

Date of Award	30 Jun 2025
Original language	English
Awarding Institution	University of St Andrews
Supervisor	Huon Wardle (Supervisor) & Aimee Edith Joyce (Supervisor)