SUBMERGED explores themes of identity, representation, race, and acceptance through the lens of female body as subject. The artists’ depictions of the yellow, brown, and black body, challenge stereotypes and assert agency and power.

SUBMERGED presents two unique responses to the experience of being ‘othered’ as women of colour, and the importance of defining your own value. For Mimi Leung, this is about grappling with an internal struggle with her body, and her attempts to break free of expectations from self and society. Ree’s works on the other hand, look to external representations of the physical body to reconsider white beauty standards, by centering Afrocentric beauty and solidarity.

SUBMERGED is one of several creative responses MAV has initiated during the COVID19 pandemic, providing artists with support and resources to develop their practice and to experiment with new modes of collaboration and delivery in a digital context. The project has included a mentoring collaboration with curator and arts writer Sophia Cai, to strengthen the artists’ skills in writing about their artistic practices from the context of their own lived experiences.

The Submerged Exhibition will launch on the MAV website on Thu 25 Feb 2021, 6pm. The launch will include a first showing of the works and the artists Mimi Leung and Ree live in conversation with Sophia Cai.

This is an online live event and will be live streamed on Facebook and YouTube.

To watch the live stream on Facebook: Please like and follow MAV on Facebook and you will be notified when the live stream starts on Facebook. Or you can visit our Facebook page on 25 Feb at 6pm.

To watch the live stream on YouTube: Please visit MAV’s YouTube channel on 25 Feb at 6pm.