Beijing exhibition exploring Xinjiang heritage accused of ‘slipping into cultural appropriation and misrepresentation’
A group of artists, curators, and gallerists from Xinjiang, operating anonymously as the collective Yixak, has publicly criticized the Beijing exhibition "Greetings" by artist Dan Er, held at the Maca Art Center from March to June 2025. The exhibition focused on Dan's travels through Xinjiang and its heritage arts, but Yixak accuses it of cultural appropriation, misrepresentation, and reinforcing ethnic stereotypes, including conflating distinct ethnic cultures, stripping traditional Adras textile patterns of context, and mislabeling Xinjiang traditions. The collective also claims the show failed to credit local collaborators and excluded Xinjiang communities. Both Dan Er and Maca declined to comment, citing "irresistible factors."
