China Now Dialogues conference Speakers

Kate Fox - Access Manager, Manchester International Festival

Inclusion in Practice – UK-China Collaborations

Since 2018, Kate has led on accessibility and disability representation for Manchester International Festival (MIF) – a biennial, artist-led festival presenting original new works from across the spectrum of performing arts, visual arts and popular culture.

Jason Ho - Curator, urbanist and educator

Inclusion in Practice – Collaborations, Challenges and Ambitions

He is the founder of Mapping Workshop China, and the director of FEI Arts Museum Guangzhou.

Michelle Rocha - International Producer, Manchester International Festival

Inclusion in Practice – UK-China Collaborations

Michelle is the Head of Touring at the Manchester International Festival (UK).

Zhu Junxiang - Mime performer, the founder of Zhuye Mime Studio, core member of XuFan Drama Art studio.

Inclusion in Practice – Collaborations, Challenges and Ambitions

Junxiang zhu graduated from the National University of Tianjin with a computer science major.

Selena Lv - Theatre director, deviser and teacher

Emerging Talents – Stories from the Stage

Theatre director, deviser and teacher.

LIN Cuixi - Contemporary theatre maker and performer

Emerging Talents – Stories from the Stage

Shanghai-based contemporary theatre maker and performer

Cao Dan - President of Modern Art, Modern Media Group

Cultural Infrastructure: How it Supports the Development of Cities in China

Senior art journalist, curator, documentary film director.

Chen Si’an - playwright, theatre director, poet, short story writer, and literary translator

Inclusion in Practice – Collaborations, Challenges and Ambitions

CHEN Si'an is a playwright, theatre director, poet, short story writer, and literary translator.

Wang Haoran - Independent playwright and director

Emerging Talents – Stories from the Stage

Independent playwright and director who is most known for his breakthrough plays "BLAST" and "RED CHAMBER IN CONCRETE FOREST" which were featured in the 41st & 42nd Hong Kong Arts Festival.

Paul Clay - International Director,Manchester International Festival

Inclusion in Practice – Collaborations, Challenges and Ambitions

Paul joined Manchester International Festival in 2012 as Executive Producer where in addition to the companies own productions he looked after the company’s International work, including managing other major works not seen at the Festival (including the world tours of ‘Bjork Digital’ for the artist Bjork and River of Fundament for Matthew Barney).

Troi Lee - London based Deaf DJ, performer, festival curator and events organiser

Inclusion in Practice – Collaborations, Challenges and Ambitions

Troi Lee is a London based Deaf DJ, performer, festival curator and events organiser, putting on raves and producing online streamed showcases in sign songs, dance, comedy, VV (Visual Vernacular) and other visual performances made by and for Deaf communities worldwide.

Julie Chun - Art Historian, Convenor of Art Focus, Royal Asiatic Society China

Cultural Infrastructure - How it Supports the Development of Cities in China

Julie Chun is an Art Historian and Critic based in Shanghai since 2011, where she has been carefully observing and documenting the growth of the art world in Shanghai.

Dong Mei - Architect, Founder of BCKJ Architects, Winners of 2020 RA Dorfman Awards for Architecture

Cultural Infrastructure: How it Supports the Development of Cities in China

Dong Mei graduated from the Department of architecture of Southeast University in 1989. She founded BCKJ Architects in 2004 and served as the presiding architect, the architectural ideology of "symbiosis with the environment” was brought by her.

Rehana Mughal - Director Arts, British Council

Cultural Infrastructure - How it Supports the Development of Cities in China

Rehana is the Director Arts, British Council in China. In this role, she oversees a diverse and impactful portfolio of activity designed to connect individuals and organisations from the UK and China to opportunities that build connections, capability and appreciation through and for the arts.

Matt Burney - Country Director, British Council China
Minister (Culture and Education), British Embassy Beijing

UK-China Exchange: Arts and Culture in a Pandemic

Matt Burney is the Director of the British Council in China, where he oversees the United Kingdom’s cultural relations and educational exchange work.

Neil Webb - Director Theatre and Dance, British Council

From Access to Inclusion: Paving the Way for Greater Diversity in China

Neil has been Director of our Theatre and Dance team since 2012. He is responsible for managing the team and leading the performing arts programme across the British Council's global network.

Sam Zheng - Founder of International Deaffilm Festival Shanghai

From Access to Inclusion: Paving the Way for Greater Diversity in China

Sam studied at Zhengzhou Institute of Engineering and Technology (Zhongzhou University) and later Shanghai Theatre Academy.

Ophelia Huang - International Programme Director, Shanghai Dramatic Arts Centre

From Access to Inclusion: Paving the Way for Greater Diversity in China

Ophelia Huang is the director of International Projects in Shanghai Dramatic Arts Centre and Programme Director of ACT Shanghai International Theatre Festival.

Zhou Jiayi - Deaf Artist, Graphic Designer, Shanghai East International Medical Centre

From Access to Inclusion: Paving the Way for Greater Diversity in China

Zhou Jiayi was born and grew up in Shanghai, China. Art is her first language as she became deaf at an early age. She graduated from Gallaudet University (USA) with honours, receiving a double B.A. degree in Graphic Design and Studio Art 2D.

Gwen Webber - Architecture Programme Manager, Architecture, Design and Fashion, British Council

Living in Community: Architectural Practice in Chengdu and Guangzhou

Gwen is the Architecture Design Fashion team’s architecture programme manager and regional lead for the Middle East and North Africa and East Asia.

Ye Min - Founding Partner of FEI (FEI Architects and FEI Arts)
PRC Class 1 Registered Architect Qualification
RIBA Chartered Architect

Living in Community: Architectural Practice in Chengdu and Guangzhou

After receiving her MA in Architecture at SCUT, Ye Min (Michelle) established FEI Architects in 2005 and FEI Arts in 2007.

Li Di - Principal of Urban & Rural, Co-founder, Director of Sichuan Vientiane Cultural Development Centre

Living in Community: Architectural Practice in Chengdu and Guangzhou

Li Di is an architect, community planner, and an illustrator. He received Master of Architecture from Technische Universität Berlin, specialized in high-density community construction.

Emily de Wolfe Pettit (艾美丽) - Founder & Creative Director, Peking Art Associates

Art for Change: Curating for All

Emily de Wolfe Pettit (艾美丽) is an independent Chinese art specialist and cross-cultural strategist with over ten years’ experience working with artists and institutions within China and the presentation of Chinese art internationally.

Dew Ge - Producer, Curator and Initiator of Beijing Body On&On Culture Centre

Art for Change: Curating for All

Initiator of Beijing Body On&On Culture Centre (Known as BODY ON&ON), producer and curator in performing art area. The founder of Luminous Festival(The first Inclusive Arts Festival in China), Touch Contact Improvisation Festival, Body Interview Project and Body Nomad Project.

Liu Yang - Principle Curator of public projects of Times Museum

Art for Change: Curating for All

Liu Yang joined the preparation team of China's first design-themed art museum, Hua Art Museum in 2008. She worked in Hua Art Museum and later OCAT Shenzhen Pavilion before she joined Times Museum.

Karen Smith - Independent Curator

Art for Change: Curating for All

Karen Smith is a British national, resident in China and specialized in the field of contemporary Chinese art. Her main activities are research, writing and curating.

Sun Haiyan - Co-founder & Chief Editor of Business Ecology Studio

Growing Green Culture in China

As the co-founder of Business Ecology Studio, Sun Haiyan founded China's first financial magazine focusing on sustainable development and green business.

Nitin Dani - Founder & Director, Green Initiatives & Seeds of Change
Project Director, GIGA

Growing Green Culture in China

Nitin is an architect by professional qualification and an environmentalist at heart. He received his Bachelors in Architecture, from Bangalore, India and Masters in Strategic Design from Politecnico di Milano, Italy.

Dani Wang - Founder&CEO, imPACKED Travel

Growing Green Culture in China

After travelled solo to more than 30 countries, Dani started to think about the social and environmental impact of traveling.

Ms. Fei Xiaojing - Impact Hub Shanghai Co-founder & Executive Managing Director

Growing Green Culture in China

Xiaojing is in charge of the overall management of Impact Hub Shanghai, leading Hub’s strategic planning and incubation system building.

Matthew Hu - China Representative, The Prince's Foundation School of Traditional Arts
Trustee, Beijing Cultural Heritage Protection Centre

Cultural Heritage: The Art of Balancing Conservation and the Commercial

Matthew was born and raised in Beijing. He is the China Representative of The Prince’s Foundation School of Traditional Arts since 2014, and he was the founding Managing Director of Beijing Cultural Heritage Protection Centre (CHP) (2006-2009), the former China Representative of The Prince’s Charities Foundation (China) (2009-2013).

Ding Feng - Secretary and Curator, Ruan Yisan Foundation

Cultural Heritage: The Art of Balancing Conservation and the Commercial

Ding Feng studied as an urban planner and landscape architect in Tongji University. She is an expert of heritage conservation and the secretary-general at Ruan Yisan Heritage Foundation from 2006.

Claudia Fan - Senior Programme Officer, China Programme, Ellen McArthur Foundation

A New Generation of Sustainable Fashion

Huaxing Fan (Claudia) is a Senior Programme Officer within the China Programme. Her main focus is to explore the potential for the Foundation's Systemic Initiatives in China.

Hu Kehua - Deputy Director of Office, China Textile and Apparel Industry Council
Sustainability Stewardship Director, Sustainability Stewardship Programs

Mr Hu Kehua is assigned as steering committee member of UNFCCC Fashion Industry Charter for Climate Action since 2019 and co-chair of Policy Engagement Working Group as well.

Zhang Na - Independent designer, founder of Reclothing Bank

A New Generation of Sustainable Fashion

Zhang Na is a leading figure among Chinese independent designers. In 2015, she was listed in the TOP30 of Chinese designers in the Asian edition of Forbes magazine. In the same year, she collaborated with the US charity organization "1% Earth Tax" and agreed to donate 1% of the sales of Reclothing Bank for environmental protection.

Wang Yanyan - Kleeklee Brand Manager, Suran Clothing Co., Ltd.

A New Generation of Sustainable Fashion

Wang Yanyan graduated from Beijing Institute of Fashion Technology and joined Suran Clothing at the end of 2007. She has been experimenting in sustainable design since 2010. She is currently the Brand Manager and Chief Designer of Suran Clothing's sustainable brand Kleeklee.

Tom deMajo - Co-Founder of Biome Collective

Mixing Realities: Digital Media Creativity from China

Tom deMajo is a UK based artist and designer known for making multi-sensory installations, interactive architectural interventions, sonic environments and engaging video games.

Yu Bo - Senior Curator and Head Technology and Art Research Centre, Beijing Blackbow Culture Communication Company

Mixing Realities: Digital Media Creativity from China

Since joining Blackbow, Yu Bo has participated in various curation and research projects such as "Beijing 8 Minutes" in the 2018 Pyeongchang Winter Olympics directed by Zhang Yimou, Tencent WE Conference, Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Conference

Zhang Daming - XR Creator, Founder, FELTTIME studio, Lecturer at the School of Art and Communication of China Jiliang University

Mixing Realities: Digital Media Creativity from China

Dr Daming Zhang explores artistic possibilities of XR (AR/VR/MR) from a theatrical perspective.

Eddie Lou - Director, Sandbox Immersive Festival

Mixing Realities: Digital Media Creativity from China

Eddie is the founder and CEO of Sandman Studios, a VR creative studio based in Beijing for premium and experimental VR experiences.

Peng Wenlan - Documentary film producer/director; Co-founder, The Meridian Society

Documentary Making during the Pandemic

Peng Wenlan is an independent documentary filmmaker based in London. She began her TV career at China Central Television, first presenting and producing educational programmes and, subsequently, launching the national broadcaster’s first ever current affairs series Focus– the precursor of its flagship programme Jiaodian Fangtan.

Lei Ying - Strategic Adviser, Investor and Producer

Many Truths to Speak: Documentary Making during the Pandemic

Ying Lei is the Founder of Clouds Intelligence Limited. She has been also the Senior Adviser for Strategy and International Development of Hunan TV since 2014.

Han Yi - Producer and Director

Many Truths to Speak: Documentary Making during the Pandemic

Yi Han is a multiple award-winning film producer, with expertise in International Co-Production, Strategic Marketing and Distribution of China-related independent films.

Malcolm Clarke - Director and Writer

Many Truths to Speak: Documentary Making during the Pandemic

Two-time Oscar Winner and Four-time Academy Award nominated Director, Writer & Producer, Malcolm Clarke has directed films in more than 80 countries and his work has won awards from the DGA, WGA, DGC, Cable ACE, EMMYs plus the BAFTA ‘John Grierson Prize’ and the ‘Edward R. Murrow Award’ from the Overseas Press Club of America.

Professor Victoria Walsh - Head of Programme, Royal College of Art

UK-China Exchange: Arts and Culture in a Pandemic

Victoria Walsh is Professor of Art History and Curating at the Royal College of Art and leads the Curating Contemporary Art programme in the School of Arts and Humanities.

Zhao Chenlin - Assistant President SMG Performing Arts Group

UK-China Exchange: Arts and Culture in a Pandemic

Zhao graduated from the School of Management of Fudan University, and later studied Management of Culture Enterprise and Creative Enteprises in ESC Dijon, France.

Azlina Bulmer - Director of International RIBA, Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA)

UK-China Exchange: Arts and Culture in a Pandemic

Azlina is instrumental in advancing RIBA’s reach and position in the global markets. She is responsible for RIBA’s international growth programme and since taking on the role in 2019 Azlina has substantially increased RIBA’s presence in several key areas including China, Gulf and the ASEAN region.

Rehana Mughal - Director Arts, British Council China
Counsellor, Culture and Arts, Culture and Education Section of the British Embassy

UK-China Exchange: Arts and Culture in a Pandemic

Rehana is the Director Arts, British Council in China. In this role, she oversees a diverse and impactful portfolio of activity designed to connect individuals and organisations from the UK and China to opportunities that build connections, capability and appreciation through and for the arts.

Speakers

Kate Fox - Access Manager, Manchester International Festival

Inclusion in Practice – UK-China Collaborations

Jason Ho - Curator, urbanist and educator

Inclusion in Practice – Collaborations, Challenges and Ambitions

Michelle Rocha - International Producer, Manchester International Festival

Inclusion in Practice – UK-China Collaborations

Zhu Junxiang - Mime performer, the founder of Zhuye Mime Studio, core member of XuFan Drama Art studio.

Inclusion in Practice – Collaborations, Challenges and Ambitions

Selena Lv - Theatre director, deviser and teacher

Emerging Talents – Stories from the Stage

LIN Cuixi - Contemporary theatre maker and performer

Emerging Talents – Stories from the Stage

Cao Dan - President of Modern Art, Modern Media Group

Cultural Infrastructure: How it Supports the Development of Cities in China

Chen Si’an - playwright, theatre director, poet, short story writer, and literary translator

Inclusion in Practice – Collaborations, Challenges and Ambitions

Wang Haoran - Independent playwright and director

Emerging Talents – Stories from the Stage

Paul Clay - International Director,Manchester International Festival​

Inclusion in Practice – Collaborations, Challenges and Ambitions

Troi Lee - London based Deaf DJ, performer, festival curator and events organiser

Inclusion in Practice – Collaborations, Challenges and Ambitions

Julie Chun - Art Historian, Convenor of Art Focus, Royal Asiatic Society China

Cultural Infrastructure - How it Supports the Development of Cities in China

Dong Mei - Architect, Founder of BCKJ Architects, Winners of 2020 RA Dorfman Awards for Architecture

Cultural Infrastructure: How it Supports the Development of Cities in China

Rehana Mughal - Director Arts, British Council

Cultural Infrastructure - How it Supports the Development of Cities in China

Matt Burney - Country Director, British Council China Minister (Culture and Education), British Embassy Beijing

UK-China Exchange: Arts and Culture in a Pandemic

Neil Webb - Director Theatre and Dance, British Council

From Access to Inclusion: Paving the Way for Greater Diversity in China

Sam Zheng - Founder of International Deaffilm Festival Shanghai

From Access to Inclusion: Paving the Way for Greater Diversity in China

Ophelia Huang - International Programme Director, Shanghai Dramatic Arts Centre

From Access to Inclusion: Paving the Way for Greater Diversity in China

Zhou Jiayi - Deaf Artist, Graphic Designer, Shanghai East International Medical Centre

From Access to Inclusion: Paving the Way for Greater Diversity in China

Gwen Webber - Architecture Programme Manager, Architecture, Design and Fashion, British Council

Living in Community: Architectural Practice in Chengdu and Guangzhou

Ye Min - Founding Partner of FEI (FEI Architects and FEI Arts) PRC Class 1 Registered Architect Qualification RIBA Chartered Architect

Living in Community: Architectural Practice in Chengdu and Guangzhou

Li Di - Principal of Urban & Rural, Co-founder, Director of Sichuan Vientiane Cultural Development Centre

Living in Community: Architectural Practice in Chengdu and Guangzhou

Emily de Wolfe Pettit (艾美丽) - Founder & Creative Director, Peking Art Associates

Art for Change: Curating for All

Dew Ge - Producer, Curator and Initiator of Beijing Body On&On Culture Centre

Art for Change: Curating for All

Liu Yang - Principle Curator of public projects of Times Museum

Art for Change: Curating for All

Karen Smith - Independent Curator

Art for Change: Curating for All

Sun Haiyan - Co-founder & Chief Editor of Business Ecology Studio

Growing Green Culture in China

Nitin Dani - Founder & Director, Green Initiatives & Seeds of Change Project Director, GIGA

Growing Green Culture in China

Dani Wang - Founder&CEO, imPACKED Travel

Growing Green Culture in China

Ms. Fei Xiaojing - Impact Hub Shanghai Co-founder & Executive Managing Director

Growing Green Culture in China

Matthew Hu - China Representative, The Prince's Foundation School of Traditional Arts Trustee, Beijing Cultural Heritage Protection Centre

Cultural Heritage: The Art of Balancing Conservation and the Commercial

Ding Feng - Secretary and Curator, Ruan Yisan Foundation

Cultural Heritage: The Art of Balancing Conservation and the Commercial

Claudia Fan - Senior Programme Officer, China Programme, Ellen McArthur Foundation

A New Generation of Sustainable Fashion

Hu Kehua - Deputy Director of Office, China Textile and Apparel Industry CouncilSustainability Stewardship Director, Sustainability Stewardship Programs

Zhang Na - Independent designer, founder of Reclothing Bank

A New Generation of Sustainable Fashion

Wang Yanyan - Kleeklee Brand Manager, Suran Clothing Co., Ltd.

A New Generation of Sustainable Fashion

Tom deMajo - Co-Founder of Biome Collective

Mixing Realities: Digital Media Creativity from China

Yu Bo - Senior Curator and Head Technology and Art Research Centre, Beijing Blackbow Culture Communication Company

Mixing Realities: Digital Media Creativity from China

Zhang Daming - XR Creator, Founder, FELTTIME studio, Lecturer at the School of Art and Communication of China Jiliang University

Mixing Realities: Digital Media Creativity from China

Eddie Lou - Director, Sandbox Immersive Festival

Mixing Realities: Digital Media Creativity from China

Paul Clay - International Director,Manchester International Festival

Matt Burney - Country Director, British Council China
Minister (Culture and Education), British Embassy Beijing

Zhou Jiayi - Deaf Artist, Graphic Designer, Shanghai East International Medical Centre

Ye Min - Founding Partner of FEI (FEI Architects and FEI Arts)
PRC Class 1 Registered Architect Qualification
RIBA Chartered Architect

Nitin Dani - Founder & Director, Green Initiatives & Seeds of Change
Project Director, GIGA

Matthew Hu - China Representative, The Prince's Foundation School of Traditional Arts
Trustee, Beijing Cultural Heritage Protection Centre

Hu Kehua - Deputy Director of Office, China Textile and Apparel Industry Council
Sustainability Stewardship Director, Sustainability Stewardship Programs

Rehana Mughal - Director Arts, British Council China
Counsellor, Culture and Arts, Culture and Education Section of the British Embassy

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