The Berkeley Art Museum and Pacific Film Archive (BAMPFA) is concluding "Multiple Offerings," the most comprehensive retrospective of Theresa Hak Kyung Cha’s work in 25 years. The exhibition traces the multidisciplinary career of the Korean American artist, who explored themes of exile, diaspora, and the fluidity of language through poetry, film, and performance before her tragic death in 1982. Curated by Victoria Sung, the show features over 100 works paired with pieces by mentors and contemporary artists influenced by her legacy.
This retrospective marks a significant institutional re-evaluation of Cha, whose influence has historically been centered in academic literature rather than the visual arts. The massive undertaking involved re-cataloging BAMPFA’s 26,000-object Cha archive to meet a surge in research interest following her inclusion in the 2022 Whitney Biennial. By positioning her work alongside contemporary artists like Na Mira and Cici Wu, the exhibition solidifies Cha’s status as a foundational figure for new generations exploring conceptual and identity-based art.