VAC is thrilled to announce that independent curator Yang Zi has been selected for our LAUNCH fellowship. The program supports artists, curators, researchers, and writers engaged in Vietnam-specific projects, reinforcing VAC's mission to facilitate global artistic exchange and bring Vietnamese art discourses to the forefront.

Yang Zi is a Beijing-based independent curator and researcher, bringing nearly a decade of high-level curatorial and critical experience to the VAC community. Formerly a Curator and Director of Public Programs at UCCA Center for Contemporary Art in Beijing, Yang Zi has a proven track record of challenging institutional frameworks and developing innovative models of collaboration. He was a finalist for the Hyundai Blue Prize in 2017, a jury member of the Huayu Youth Award in 2019, and the recipient of the inaugural Sigg Fellowship for Chinese Art Research in 2020.

His significant curatorial projects include major group exhibitions such as The New Normal: Art in China, and Dare to Be: Land of Lustrous, and Flesh: Uncanny Valley, alongside solo exhibitions for renowned artists like Zhao Bandi, Xie Nanxing, and Wu Wei. As an editor and writer for leading publications including LEAP and Artforum China, he has contributed substantially to critical art discourse in Asia.

During his LAUNCH Fellowship, Yang Zi will undertake research in Hanoi, exploring the vibrant local art ecosystem. His project aims to forge new connections between artistic practices in Vietnam and the wider regional context, fostering a dialogue that is essential for a nuanced understanding of contemporary art in Southeast Asia. His presence and research are anticipated to invigorate the local scene, offering fresh perspectives and creating a bridge for international engagement.

The selection of Yang Zi underscores VAC's commitment to supporting exceptional talent that can engage deeply and thoughtfully with the Vietnamese context. Officially started in 2025, the LAUNCH Fellowship has supported curatorial projects such as New York-based Vietnamese curator Do Tuong Linh's seminal exhibition, Seven Up Three Down (CCS Bard, New York). By hosting international professionals like Yang Zi and supporting Vietnamese creatives abroad, VAC's LAUNCH Fellowship acts as a dynamic catalyst for the production and exchange of new ideas, solidifying its role as a vital force in the region's art ecosystem.

Yang will share his research work and curatorial vision as part of VAC’s presentation at the upcoming Shanghai Westbund Art Fair, under the Special Exhibition sector at Pavilion A.