Talk: A Manifestation of the Urge to Play as the Exercise of Freedom for its Own Sake

In support of New York City’s effort to contain the spread of COVID-19 and for the health and well-being of our visitors and staff, The Drawing Center is postponing all planned public programs through April 12, 2020.

Ticket-holders will automatically be issued refunds and will be notified of postponement dates as soon as they are confirmed.

We thank you for your understanding during this time. Please email info@drawingcenter.org with any questions.

Please stay safe and healthy!

Presented in conjunction with Guo Fengyi: To See from a Distance, curators Olivia Shao and Bob Nickas will convene for a conversation about the contemporary art world and its handling of self-taught art. Please note that conversation will be offered in English and ASL.

Guo Fengyi (b. 1942, Xi-an) was a self taught artist who practiced qigong to alleviate her chronic arthritis pain. While practicing this ancient Chinese wellness technique, Fengyi drew intricate ink drawings and developed an imaginative, mystical, and deeply personal visual language.

Bob Nickas is a writer and curator based in New York who has organized over 100 exhibitions since 1984. He has served as Curatorial Advisor at MoMA/PS1 between 2004-07, and on the teams for the 2003 Biennale de Lyon, and organized a section for Aperto at the 1993 Venice Biennale. Nikas is also the co-founder of Index magazine and has published widely over the past thirty-five years.

Olivia Shao is an Independent Curator based in New York.