AFAD Masterclass: Zai Xu
The Studio of Painting and dír kvír invite you to a masterclass by @zai.xu, artist, curator, and founder of the Prague-based gallery SVĚTOVA 1.
Where?
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AFAD Building at Koceľova 23
- Koceľova 23, Bratislava
When?
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Saturday, June 21, 2025 at 18:00
- This event is part of the accompanying program to the Bachelor's exhibition of the Studio mal+by
Annotation:
Zai Xu (*1998) is an interdisciplinary artist, producer, curator, and founder of the art space SVĚTOVA 1. Their artistic work explores the experiences of growing up as a person of color in a white society, feelings of vulnerability, and queer perspectives. Through writing, photography, and mixed-media installations, they investigate different components of their identity. Their first text work titled Why Am I so White? was published by tranzit.cz in the book Měkká místa as part of the Biennale Matter of Art 2022.
Since 2018, when they founded the artist-run space SVĚTOVA 1 focused on emerging, queer, and socio-political issues, they have been dedicated to supporting young art, experimenting with exhibition formats, and searching for sustainable operational models. Xu is involved in all dramaturgical and curatorial activities at SVĚTOVA 1, where they co-produced more than 24 exhibitions and over 70 public programs.
In 2022, they initiated the educational research cycle As We Grow, aimed at learning through creation for early-career artists. In 2023, they co-initiated the Festival of Queer Knowledge to promote shared learning and transmission of queer and feminist knowledge, approaches, and perspectives. In September 2023, they initiated an informal regular gathering of non-profit art spaces in Prague called Swimming Pool. Together with the collective Plusko+ in 2023, they also introduced the Say My Name zine, mapping available information about the Czech queer scene for the public.
This masterclass is supported by the Tatra Banka Foundation.
