We are excited to announce Zhejun Gao as the recipient of the 2025 Asymmetry Curatorial Research Fellowship at Chisenhale Gallery, London. Selected via a global open call conducted throughout winter 2024, Zhejun will begin his 18-month placement in early April 2025 under the mentorship of Edward Gillman, incoming director of Chisenhale Gallery, and the Gallery’s wider curatorial team.

During his placement, Zhejun will develop his curatorial practice while supporting Chisenhale Gallery’s internationally renowned commissions programme, which supports international and UK-based artists to pursue new directions and produce their most ambitious work to date. In 2025, the Gallery’s commissions programme comprises three new exhibitions by artists Claudia Pagès Rabal, Dun Guthrie, and Grant Mooney. In addition, Zhejun will contribute to various editorial, communications and social media outlets, thinking critically about the connections between the gallery, commissioned artists and audiences, in line with the organisation’s mission, vision and values.

In the first six months, Zhejun will have one day a week dedicated towards an independent research project, where he will receive additional mentorship, resources and support from us at Asymmetry. He will be immersed in our diverse network of curators, writers and scholars, contributing to, and interacting with, a rich hub of knowledge exchange and collaboration.

Moreover, Zhejun will be placed and benefit from participating in Delfina Foundation’s award-winning residency programme. He will receive further professional development opportunities, mentoring, introductions to institutions and industry professionals, as well as peer-to-peer exchange with other artists, writers and curators-in-residence, along with two months of accommodation at the foundation’s Edwardian Townhouse located in the heart of London.

ABOUT ZHEJUN GAO

Zhejun Gao (b. China) is a curator, researcher, and part-time artist from Shanghai, China. His work focuses on systems of categorisation, archival research, and collective trauma in contemporary art. His curatorial practice explores the migration of artifacts and models of knowledge production within institutions, examining how museums narrate objects and classify their collections. Alongside his curatorial work, he has a deep interest in sound art and experimental music in China, contributing to writings and performance in the field.

In 2022, he embarked on Exploring Traumas, Exploding Archives, a long-term project that calls for collaborative practices to explore alternative methods of historiography and document unspeakable histories in post-colonial Asia.

ABOUT THE ASYMMETRY CURATORIAL RESEARCH FELLOWSHIP

The Asymmetry Curatorial Research Fellowship will provide unique training, skills, and experience, while embedded in the curatorial workings of a non-profit gallery that is recognised for its experimental and innovative approach. The fellow will work closely with Chisenhale’s curatorial team, who are committed to supportive professional development and pastoral care. Reporting to Chisenhale’s Curator, the fellow will work directly on the development of commissions, events and publications with artists. The fellow will also engage in critical conversation, close reading and rigorous thought, alongside the development of invaluable practical skills.

The fellow will be given the opportunity to research and develop aspects of public-facing programming over which they will have responsibility for implementation. Throughout the placement, mentorship and guidance from senior staff will allow the fellow to develop and refine their skills, expand their professional network, and establish their own curatorial ambitions. The placement is designed to instil agency, to allow the realisation of new curatorial achievements, to enable, formulate and expand on new ideas and growth in their profession.

We will provide additional mentoring and resources to further the fellow’s independent curatorial research. For one day a week over the first six months of the fellowship, the fellow will have time and space dedicated to an independent research project of their proposal, with additional budget to realise public-facing programmes or other forms of research presentation.

This fellowship marks an evolution of the partnership between us and Chisenhale Gallery, which to date has yielded two successful Curatorial Writing Fellows and one Curatorial Research Fellow. The 2025 edition of the Curatorial Research Fellowship builds upon previous experiences, responds to fellows’ feedback and recognises the urgent need to provide unique professional development opportunities related to working with artists in ways that push beyond the boundaries of traditional exhibition making and communication formats.

‘We are proud to be longterm partners of Chisenhale Gallery in supporting the professional trajectories of talented emerging curators. For its fourth iteration, we are excited to welcome Zhejun, who is joining us in London from the Modern Art Museum in Shanghai. Zhejun's placement coincides with Edward Gillman taking the lead as new Director at Chisenhale and we look forward to this exciting new chapter together.’

—Yan Du, Founding Director of Asymmetry

‘I’m delighted to welcome Zhejun as Chisenhale Gallery’s new Asymmetry Curatorial Research Fellow. My role at Chisenhale aligns perfectly with Zhejun’s joining the team, and it further solidifies our successful partnership with Asymmetry. We look forward to Zhejun’s close collaboration with our curators and his valuable contributions working with our commissioned artists.’

—Edward Gillman, Director of Chisenhale Gallery

ABOUT CHISENHALE GALLERY

Chisenhale Gallery was founded by artists. The same experimental vision and spirit of possibility that changed an empty veneer factory and brewery warehouse into an art gallery guides our work today. Chisenhale Gallery commissions and produces contemporary art. Practically, this means bringing artists’ ideas to life, by developing their original projects over a one- to two- year period, from concept to completion. Located in a dynamic and creative residential neighbourhood in the heart of London’s East End, the gallery has an award-winning, 39-year history as one of London’s most innovative forums for contemporary art.

ABOUT DELFINA FOUNDATION

Founded in 2007, Delfina Foundation is dedicated to facilitating artistic exchange and developing creative practice through residencies, partnerships, and public programming, from exhibitions to performances. Its interrelated residency and public programmes offer opportunities for artists, curators, and thinkers to incubate and produce new ideas for local and global audiences.

Partners:
Chisenhale Gallery
Delfina Foundation