How a Scholarship Helped Zehui Tang Pursue Public Art

by Peyton Sauer (BFA 2022)

Zehui Tang (MA 2010) has always prioritized collaboration in her practice as a curator and consultant.

Whether she is co-curating colorful, immersive artworks for Open Source: The First Shenzhen Biennale or curating Tatiana Trouvé and Laure Prouvost’s first museum solo exhibitions in China, Tang has a passion for working with others to achieve their vision.

Tang received her Master’s in Arts Administration and Policy from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago (SAIC) in 2010. Throughout her studies, she was interested in the role of museums and nonprofit organizations as well as public art. Prior to her time at SAIC, Tang had been working for major institutions like the National Art Museum of China.

Upon her acceptance to SAIC in 2008, Tang was awarded a merit scholarship that covered the cost of half of her schooling. “The scholarship helped in many ways. Mentally, spiritually, and also financially,” said Tang.

“That the School not only wanted me to attend, but they went this far to give me a big scholarship was a great honor and gave me a boost of encouragement.”

The scholarship allowed Tang to pursue her passion for making art and design accessible to the public. After graduating from SAIC, Tang continued to work on initiatives at major institutions but eventually took on independent projects as well.

Throughout Tang’s career, she has gravitated toward more interactive works, fascinated by how a viewer moves through an exhibition or approaches a public art piece. Today, she is tackling several related projects as an art advisor and curator for institutions in China and as an independent consultant. One is a public art project in Beijing’s central business district, another is an agricultural park in a rural area of China.

After more than a decade since SAIC, Tang is still influenced by her time as a graduate student. “I have always been interested in public art,” Tang shared. “Chicago is particularly known for its public art, and I have been, in many ways, informed by my experience with the city and with the School.”

Now, as Tang continues to take on the art world, she understands how important it is to pay it forward. After her scholarship made her experiences possible, she’s been inspired to support current students. “As someone who received a scholarship from the school, I think you become part of the tradition. It’s like you inherited something, and when the time is right, you need to give it back and pass it on.”

Inspired by Tang’s story? Click here to support SAIC students through the Fund for SAIC. ■

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