Yan Du is opening Yan Du Projects, a non-profit in London, focusing on Asian contemporary art. Located in a historic townhouse, it will host exhibitions, events, and artist residencies, promoting under-represented artists and a transcultural dialogue. It aims to create a new model for supporting artists.
A new non-profit space dedicated to contemporary Asian art is set to open in London this October. Yan Du, a Chinese collector and philanthropist, is launching Yan Du Projects (YDP) in Bloomsbury’s Bedford Square, an area rich in cultural history. This space will feature exhibitions, site-specific commissions, and public events alongside artist residencies, showcasing the diversity of Asian artistry.
Yan initially sought a simple pop-up location but was drawn to the historic, Grade I-listed townhouse where YDP will be situated, citing its beauty and prime location. She explains, “Bedford Square is a cultural and intellectual hub—we are neighbours with [research institute] the Paul Mellon Centre, publishers and the AA [Architectural Association], and it used to be home to the Bloomsbury Group.” This neighbourhood is a fitting backdrop for the initiative.
Not Yan’s first venture, she founded the Asymmetry Art Foundation in 2019 to boost understanding of Chinese contemporary art. A permanent base for this foundation opened in east London last year. However, YDP marks a shift towards a wider focus on Asian artists and their diasporas, separate from her private collection which features prominent names like Louise Bourgeois and Georgia O’Keeffe.
“Supporting artists is something I’ve always been very passionate about,” she remarks. Yan emphasises her enjoyment of engaging directly with artists through conversations and curated exhibitions. The renovation of the townhouse involved working with Beau Architects to create a modular “suitcase project,” a temporary structure that respects the building’s listed status. Yan notes, “We cannot make any structural changes, so we have to build everything internally… the suitcase project reflects the diasporic experience of nomadic homemaking.”
YDP plans to host two to three interdisciplinary exhibitions annually, aiming for flexible programming which empowers artists to curate their own shows. Notably, the inaugural exhibition will focus on new works by Chinese painter Duan Jianyu, whose career Yan has supported over the years. She believes Duan’s art encapsulates the “transcultural dialogue” YDP aspires to promote and addresses the need to champion lesser-known artists.
The venue will also feature a coach house, providing studio space for two artists. The first resident artist is Bangkok’s Harit Srikhao, who will collaborate with YDP from September to November. Yan aims for this period to foster a supportive environment, encouraging artists to experiment without fear of failure.
Building YDP has had its hurdles, particularly with the challenges of renovating a listed property. Yet the more complex issue has been carving out YDP’s unique identity. Yan admits, “I need to create from scratch a brand-new model of supporting creative practices and research. There is no precedent for me to follow,” hinting at her vision for a new type of philanthropic space that can redefine the art ecosystem.
In summary, Yan Du Projects is set to open in London this October as a non-profit dedicated to contemporary Asian art. With a mission to support under-represented artists and promote a transcultural dialogue, the initiative will host diverse exhibitions and artist residencies. Yan aims to create an innovative model for philanthropic art support, fostering creativity and exploration among artists.
Original Source: www.theartnewspaper.com