The #MeToo in China exhibition in Leeds that took place in the Leeds University Union foyer between December 5th to 9th 2022 demonstrated a variety of visual and textual artwork that illustrated the impact and prevalence of sexual violence in China. It was inspired by the #MeToo in China movement that began in 2018 and the art exhibitions in Chengdu, Guangzhou, and New York in 2019. The Exhibition at the University of Leeds was part of @metoochina_exhibition_uk 2022 tour in the UK. Starting at the University of Cambridge and moving to the University of Birmingham as well as Edinburgh, they feature the work showcased in the original exhibitions and include new elements!
I was able to visit the exhibition myself and got to see all of the empowering, as well as provoking artwork. This pushed me to learn more about #MeToo in China; what it is and why it is happening.
It was an exhibition about sexual harassment and gender-based violence. #MeToo in China originated from issues with sexual harassment in higher education in China. Luo Xixi, a post-grad student from Beihang University, spoke out about the harassment she experienced from her PhD supervisor Chen Xiaowu. The exhibition traces the history of the #MeToo movement in china, presenting the personal struggles of survivors and collective feminist actions against sexual violence. It aims to raise awareness around sexual assault, showing solidarity with them as well as other feminist activists in China.
It is important that we keep talking about these experiences as there is always shame around sexual assault and women are always made to bear the responsibility of not preventing their assault – tackling this stigma. The community that the exhibition creates is important; it has received empowering comments from students and #MeToo survivors who have expressed how the exhibition has helped them. Many students have left comments on the interactive board, about destroying the patriarchy, using their own languages to write #MeToo and draw bunnies. The repeated imagery of bunnies and bowls of rice in the exhibition relate to the pronunciation of “MeToo” as rice ("me”, mi/米 in Chinese) and bunny ("too”, tu/兔 in Chinese), so they are used to signify support and solidarity. Overall, it is important to lots of #MeToo survivors, especially Chinese #MeToo survivors, as the art has started conversations amongst students; in turn, building connections with other local students who are fighting for similar causes.
#MeToo feminist bloggers in China are censored because they are not allowed to discuss these topics on social media. The #MeToo in China exhibition helps continue these discussion that are restricted in China and ensure survivors are not silenced or forgotten. Through continuing to share these stories, it shows feminists in China and Chinese international students who are fighting against similar issues that people stand with them – keeping the #MeToo in China movement in momentum.
Facing risks of attack from nationalists triggered by the recent A4 Paper Revolution in Leeds (students who have been protesting against the strict "zero-Covid" policy in China), thus I feel very privileged to have been able to learn so much from the exhibition and witness how people continue to raise awareness around sexual violence, despite the risks of being involved due to the strict censorship laws in China.
The organisation does not receive institutional support and any donations go towards their university touring, materials used in the exhibition. You can donate through their PayPal: metooinChinaUK@protonmail.com. If not, please follow their social media (@metoochina_exhibition_uk ) and show support by sharing this blog to raise awareness and show solidarity with #MeToo in China.
They have set up a Telegram group chat for Chinese feminist friends based in Leeds or around to connect. You can find the link through their highlights for the invite or DM them privately if you are unable to access it!
Words by McKenzie Burnett
Related links: https://www.crassh.cam.ac.uk/events/32882/
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