CELA is a research-driven project dedicated to fostering artistic exchange between China, Iberia, and Latin America. It delves into non-canonical and under-represented artistic practices with a Global South focus, seeking to challenge and offer alternatives to the prevailing norms of the mainstream art world.The website highlights CELA's initiatives, featuring exhibitions, talks, publications, and more, in collaboration with artists, curators, and institutions from these three regions. It aims to enhance access to each region's artistic interests while promoting opportunities for creative practices and exchange.
CELA is a collective effort for and by everyone involved. Below is a list of contributors CELA wishs to thank:
[Director]
Leo Lee, contemporary art consultant with a focus on non-canonical and under-represented artistic practices from the Global South, with a particular emphasis on contemporary art in China, Iberia, and Latin America. His work seeks to offer alternative approaches to the prevailing norms of the mainstream art world.
He has held positions at renowned galleries and consulting firms across China, Latin America, and the Middle East, including Vanguard Gallery in Shanghai, Sabrina Amrani Gallery in Madrid, and Cristobal Galicia Capital Management Consulting in Dubai, among others. Throughout his career, he has collaborated with prominent institutions such as UCCA Beijing, OCAT Shanghai, and the Cervantes Institute in Shanghai. He is currently the director of Proyecto Cela.
[Editor]
Chunzi Wu obtained an MA (Research) in Cultural Leadership from the University of Groningen and a BA in Hispanic Philology
from Beijing Foreign Studies University. She has cultivated her interests in the creative and cultural industries and her experience spans galleries, museums, and government agencies. Her recent research focuses on creative cities, arts participation, and policy, exploring the role of culture in shaping urban spaces and communities.
Allen Young is a translator working between Spanish, Chinese, and English. He teaches in Humanities and World Languages at New York University's Shanghai campus.
Lucila Carzoglio holds a PhD in Comparative Literature (SHU), is a journalist (TEA), and has a degree and teaching certification in Literature (UBA). She is currently pursuing a Master's in Cultural Management (UOC). She serves as co-editor of Chopsuey, a magazine featuring Spanish-language chronicles on contemporary China. Her work has appeared in various media outlets, including The New York Times, BBC Mundo, Letras Libres, Altaïr, 5W, China Hoy, Brando, Viva, Revista Anfibia, and the cultural supplement of Télam, Argentina's national news agency. She collaborates in the Culture and Press departments at the Cervantes Institute in Shanghai.
Yizhi Zou, an independent curator, member of the YEEZIG curatorial team, and co-founder of Hüten Art Consulting Agency. She holds an M.B.A. from the Illinois Institute of Technology and a master's degree from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago. She has rich project experience with galleries, non-profit organizations, and private art museums in China and the United States, focusing on the artistic production of emerging contemporary Chinese artists in a cross-disciplinary context.
Joyce Lanxin Zhao holds a BFA in Film & TV from New York University Tisch School of the Arts. She works as a director, editor, animator and photographer. She is especially interested in people’s expressions of themselves, and the connections built and existed between different individuals, thus decided to dedicate herself into documenting and exhibiting the stories of a wide variety of people through her sensitivity in observation and communication.
Julio Panduro holds a degree in Communication Sciences, specializing in political journalism, and a master's degree in Political Science, with a focus on comparative politics. He has over 25 years of experience as a journalist covering politics, international affairs, and human rights, and 15 years of experience in university teaching.
His journalistic and academic articles have been published in Peru, China, and the United States on topics such as immigration, multiculturalism, gender identity, among others.
Shuangqing Li believes in the transformative power of beauty and human
connection. Her passion for language, culture, art, and development stems from
this. Having worked as a talent development professional in various
international organisations including UNDP, ICRC and WEF, she is particularly
interested in how thoughtful
design and experiences can create empowerment and
meaningful relationship. Fluent in Mandarin, English, and Spanish, and
proficient in French and Catalan, Shuangqing enjoys bringing people and
cultures together. She is also a dancer in Compagnie Nebula, a young
musical group in Geneva, where she is rehearsing for their second live show.
Susy Ye, originally from mainland China and fluent in Mandarin, English, and Spanish, has spent a decade living in Spain. Her expertise includes copywriting, corporate communication, content creation, and client services. With a genuine interest in arts and ideas, she brings a blend of empathy, creativity, and cross-cultural collaboration to both agency and in-house communication roles.
Her communications experience spans industries such as aviation, AI technology, international education, healthcare, and games. Notably, during the 2022 FIFA World Cup, Susy was part of the communications team for the Chinese region, where she gained valuable experience in planning communications for a global event. She is now pursuing a master's degree in specialized communication at the University of Barcelona.
CELA originated from Archive Hei (2020-2022), a databse that documented the presence of Chinese artists in Spanish-speaking countries and vice versa (view the website by downloading the installation package). The volunteers involved in the project include:
Chen Jinyu
Cui Baihui
Huang Yuejia
Li Jianing
Li Shuangqing
Liu Xiaohui
Tang Shunran
Wang Jue
Wang Yiping
Wu Chunzi
Ye Xiaodan
Yue Qingyu
Zhong Xiyue
CELAARTISTIC EXCHANGE BETWEEN
CHINA, IBERIA & LATIN AMERICA