Since the ‘90s, his renowned exhibitions have blazed a trail for an expansive global vision of the artworld and the rise of contemporary art across China and East Asia. Now, Hou Hanru has been named curator of the next Auckland Triennial.
The triennial, established in 2000, will host its fifth edition in 2013. Taking place at partner galleries across the city, the three-month contemporary art festival invites local and international artists. It is the only contemporary art exhibition of its kind in New Zealand.
In a press release statement, Hou stated: “The Auckland Triennial interests me with the city’s increasingly vibrant art scene, being one of the leading cities of the Pacific Rim and with its Māori and Pacific influences. The Triennial can be a particularly inspiring and challenging context for artists: to engage themselves in reimagining the relationship between their work and the changing world, to generate more energy and new vision to an already dynamic art scene.”
San Francisco-based, Guangzhou-born Hou has curated prominent exhibitions around the world, including the Istanbul, Venice and Lyon biennials.
“We are honoured to have a curator of Hou’s vision, experience and standing,” added Auckland Triennial spokesperson, Auckland Art Gallery Director Chris Saines. “Artists and visitors alike will benefit immensely from his expertise and insight.”
