Mixed-Race Artists Explore Half-Asian Identities in “Dirty Knees”

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Shannon Elliott

“Dirty Knees” is a visual arts exhibition exploring mixed-race identities, featuring artists Nomi Chi, Shannon Elliott, Katie So, Mandy Tsung and Lauren YS (all of half-Asian ancestry).

The title of the show is a reference to the old playground rhyme (“Chinese/ Japanese/ Dirty knees/ Look at these!”) and deals with the complexities of internalized racism as well as the difficulty of establishing an identity that isn’t just stratified but fetishized and overlooked by linear definitions of race and heritage.

Bringing together a very personal selection of work, the exhibit aims to create a sense of community and encourage discussion around issues of race and identity. See more images below or on display at Vancouver’s Untitled Art Space in Chinatown (436 Columbia Street), opening August 12th.

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