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."
The controversy matters because it highlights tensions around cultural representation in China, particularly regarding Xinjiang—a region known globally for alleged human rights abuses and cultural erasure of its Uyghur and other indigenous groups. Yixak's anonymous critique, published on the bilingual webzine Pailang Museum, underscores the risks of advocating for Xinjiang culture within China, while the exhibition's handling raises broader questions about who has the authority to represent marginalized cultures in contemporary art. The incident also reflects ongoing debates about cultural appropriation and the ethics of outsider perspectives in art.