The Nasher Museum of Art at Duke University has opened "Dis/orient," a new exhibition featuring works by nine artists from the Asian diaspora. The show includes a raindrop-shaped mirror, stacks of Botan rice bags, burned denim on canvas, and a video of a man attempting to chop an apple on a spinning record player. Curatorial associate Julianne Miao explains that the exhibition confronts orientalism and stereotypes about Asian art, which is often reduced to ancient scrolls and ceramics. Featured artists include Korakrit Arunanondchai, Stephanie Shih, Taiyo Kimura, Pinaree Sanpitak, Asuka Anastacia Ogawa, Ravelle Pillay, and local artist Lien Truong, whose painting "My mother, she fell from the sky" reimagines orientalist depictions of Asian women. The exhibition runs until July 19.
This exhibition matters because it directly challenges the underrepresentation and stereotyping of Asian art in major museum collections across the United States. By showcasing contemporary artists working in diverse mediums and styles, "Dis/orient" subverts long-held assumptions about what Asian art should look like, moving beyond traditional scroll paintings and ceramics. The show also addresses the lasting impact of Western colonialism on how Asian art and identity are perceived, offering a platform for artists to reclaim narratives and give agency to historically misrepresented figures.