From Foshan to Global Networks: iion’s Feminine Approach to Independent Art Spaces
Tucked into the folded alleys of Foshan’s Chuihong community, ART ON SPACE has grown into a kind of “hidden urban enclave.” It is more than a container for art: it’s a site where photography and architecture enter dialogue, a medium where contemporary practice meets the neighborhood’s social fabric, and a bridge between China and Europe — from cross-ocean collaborations with Lisbon’s Ochre Space to the MAP project’s fusion of architectural thinking and artistic practice. Founded and run by iion, this independent cultural space operates under a “pan-space” idea, exploring the deeper ties between art and everyday life, and between the local and the global.
In this issue we visit ART ON SPACE and speak with iion. From her original impulse to start the project, to the distinctive warmth a female perspective brings to programming; from holding a critical aesthetic in an increasingly market-driven environment, to the tact and wisdom of cross-cultural collaboration — these exchanges trace not only the growth of one art space, but also a practitioner’s careful thinking about how art can enter and shape daily life.
Q1. What inspired you to establish ART ON SPACE in Foshan’s Chuihong community? Was it a specific artistic experience, a long-standing vision, or simply the right moment? Was there a turning point when you knew for sure this was what you wanted to do?
iion:
My first encounter with the Chuihong community was through an Isamu Noguchi lantern exhibition at 272 Gallery. At the time, I hadn’t yet returned to Foshan, but that experience made me realize this city—best known for its manufacturing—also carries fertile ground for contemporary art.
After moving back, I got to know several community initiators who shared a belief with me: that spaces and projects should “grow organically” rather than be rigidly planned. With the support of architect Luo Qiuwen, I eventually decided to settle here.
What convinced me fully was the community’s atmosphere—art and everyday life naturally overlap. During exhibitions, children and elderly residents wander in, curious and engaged. Their responses showed me that this space could have a real relationship with local life. In this warm, unpretentious city, I’ve also received much selfless support. That was the moment I knew I wanted to commit long-term.
Q2. Have female artists, curators, or cultural practitioners influenced how you understand the role of an “art space”?
iion:
Yes. I’ve been inspired by women predecessors along the way. For example, Japanese architect Kazuyo Sejima showed me that “lightness” itself can be powerful in architecture. Female curators I admire often combine rationality with sensitivity, reminding me that an art space is not only a place to show works but also a site for shaping social relations.
These influences helped me see that women in art are not just “supplementary voices,” but bring distinct ways of sensing and connecting. This perspective has shaped ART ON SPACE: it’s less about emphasizing “female identity” itself, and more about translating sensitivity and attentiveness into the character of the space.
Q3. How do your personal artistic preferences influence the direction of ART ON SPACE? Do you allow your taste to guide the space, or do you try to create room for more diverse voices?
iion:
My interests—especially in photography and architecture—do shape the space, and these remain two core dimensions of ART ON SPACE. But I don’t want it to be confined to my own taste. I see it as a platform for diverse expressions.
In curating, I make a conscious effort to listen to artists and audiences, stepping outside my preferences. Small spaces have the advantage of flexibility, and my role is not to extend my personal taste, but to foster a site that can hold many conversations.
Q4. When collaborating with artists, beyond their works, what qualities do you look for? Do you approach collaborations with female artists differently?
iion:
I care about more than the work itself—I look at how artists think and how they engage with the world. Openness, trust, and mutual respect often determine how far a project can go.
With female artists, I don’t apply separate standards, but I am more attuned to the unique experiences embedded in their work—around the body, family, or everyday life. These themes are often overlooked in mainstream contexts but carry great power. Through exhibitions and collaborations, ART ON SPACE hopes to make such expressions more visible.
Q5. Running an independent cultural space brings challenges with funding and audiences. How do you balance ideals with survival? Has your identity as a woman ever posed specific obstacles—or advantages?
iion:
It’s difficult for an independent space to survive purely on commercial logic. I try to balance through cross-disciplinary collaborations and projects. For example, co-hosting exhibitions with other institutions, or participating in art fairs—we recently started presenting ourselves as a gallery, which opens new opportunities.
Being a woman can sometimes mean I need to work harder to prove professional credibility in certain settings. But it’s also an advantage. Sensitivity in communication and connection allows the space to feel more inclusive and approachable. I often feel ART ON SPACE’s sense of “warmth” comes directly from this perspective.
Q6. Looking ten years ahead, what do you envision for ART ON SPACE? How will your role evolve, especially as you build bridges across cultures under the idea of “para-space”?
iion:
Ten years from now, I hope ART ON SPACE will remain rooted in Foshan while also having a place within global networks. Locally, it should feel like part of daily life—like a park or a bookstore. Globally, I hope it will continue to engage in cultural exchanges, expanding perspectives.
As for myself, I may take on more of a connector role—allowing the space to run independently while I focus on cross-cultural collaborations, collecting works, and academic research.
Q7. For women who want to start their own independent art spaces, what advice would you offer?
iion:
Two things: hold on to your original intention, and stay flexible. Independent spaces will never be smooth sailing—you’ll face choices with limited resources, so knowing why you started is crucial.
At the same time, environments constantly shift. Staying open and adaptable keeps the space alive. Don’t be afraid to adjust pace or direction. The value of independent spaces lies precisely in their ability to grow freely.
After our conversation with iion, ART ON SPACE’s role becomes clearer: it is a rooted local actor, answering to Chuihong’s cultural texture; a connector to the world, using photography and moving image to cross cultural borders; and a platform for women’s voices, offering an alternative model for running an art space that balances ideals with practical realities.
Perhaps, as the “pan-space” concept suggests, art is never only what hangs inside a white cube — it lives in the continuous interactions between people and places, cultures and communities. We look forward to seeing ART ON SPACE continue to grow with the city’s rhythm, and we hope more people will visit — or, through this interview, catch a glimpse of the commitment, care, and connections behind the project.
If you’re curious about running an independent art space, or about women’s practices in the cultural field, leave your thoughts in the comments — let’s keep this conversation going.