A group of artists, curators, and gallerists from Xinjiang, operating anonymously as the collective Yixak, have publicly criticized the Beijing exhibition "Greetings" held at the Maca Art Center from March to June 2025. The show, featuring works by Han Chinese artist Dan Er, focused on her travels through Xinjiang and its heritage arts. Yixak accuses the exhibition 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."
This controversy matters because it highlights ongoing 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. The criticism from a cross-ethnic, professional collective underscores the risks of advocacy for Xinjiang culture within China, as Yixak maintains anonymity for safety. The incident also raises broader questions about who has the authority to represent marginalized cultures in contemporary art, and the responsibilities of institutions and artists when engaging with heritage from politically sensitive regions.