Art Exhibit — Dis/orient: Contemporary Art of the Asian Diaspora
Date: Fri, Jul 3, 2026
Time:
Venue: Nasher Museum of Art at Duke University, Durham
Price: Free
Category: Community
A focused exhibition that examines how artists of Asian descent confront long-standing stereotypes embedded in the word “Orient.” Rooted in Western imperialism, the term historically enforced a sense of distance and “otherness” that continues to shape cultural perceptions today. Dis/orient brings together artists who use humor, memory, tradition, and personal narrative to challenge this legacy and illuminate the richness and multiplicity of the Asian diaspora. Featuring works ranging from Stephanie H. Shih’s ceramic sculptures inspired by everyday grocery items to Asuka Anastacia Ogawa’s dreamlike paintings shaped by her Japanese and Brazilian heritage, the exhibition highlights how layered symbols and stories can expose the subtle ways colonial histories persist in daily life. Collectively, the artists reveal a dynamic field of diasporic experiences—marked by resilience, creativity, and ongoing transformation.“Dis/orient invites viewers to look beyond the flattened idea of a single ‘Orient’ and instead appreciate the complexity, humor, and emotional depth that define contemporary Asian diasporic art,” said Julianne Miao, curatorial associate at the Nasher Museum. “Each artist brings a distinct perspective, reminding us that identity is never monolithic. It is lived, questioned, and continually reshaped.” Dis/orient: Contemporary Art of the Asian Diaspora is on view in the museum’s Wilson Pavilion from December 13, 2025, through July 19, 2026.
