esea contemporary is pleased to host the launch of 'The Duet of the Exodus', a non-traditional zine conceived by Queer Patch, and published by Pearl Slug Studio. Taking the form of a mail package, the zine serves as both a medium and a metaphor for the lived experiences of Chinese female and queer diasporic communities.
Bringing together works by Samuel, Marissa, Yuyue, Xiaodangjia (小当家), You Liang, Jingjing Huang, Momo, Zhuyang, Jinghao Shen, Shuyu Chen, and all the participants of the Series of Diaspora Chinese Queer Manifesto Workshops in London and New York, alongside a collaboratively written manifesto zine, the project reimagines paper as a site of exhibition, resonance, and storytelling. Exploring themes from plant diaspora and dispersal under colonisation to the growing pains of adolescence and embodied transformation, ‘The Duet of the Exodus’ unfolds through poetry, visual art, diary entries and translation — a multi-layered practice that emerges in the interstices of languages.
‘Blending multiple creative approaches, the project challenges the limitations of the Western linguistic framework and the gaps in their mother tongues.’ — Jingjing Huang, Queer Patch
Opening with a panel talk consisting of the editors of the book, Jingjing Huang, You Liang, and Yuyue, this conversation reflects on the making of the zine and the experiences that shaped it, followed by an open Q&A with the audience. The programme concludes with a social gathering, book signing, and sales — a chance to connect directly with the speakers and take home a piece of the project.
Join us for an evening of communal conversation and shared storytelling, as ‘The Duet of the Exodus’ redefines what a zine, and an exhibition, can be.
Queer Patch is a transnational Sinophone queer diaspora artists' collective and community. As a grassroots arts organisation, the collective aims to amplify the voices of the Sinophone queer diaspora and bring attention to the often unspeakable life experiences within these communities. Through art, they empower individuals to share their stories, offering workshops and resources to support those who may lack prior experience in artistic expression. To date, Queer Patch has organised events, film screenings, exhibitions, and publications across the UK, the Netherlands, Japan, and France.
Pearl Slug Studio is a non-profitable publication house, dedicated to pushing the boundaries of art through books, providing a platform for emerging voices from East Asian and Global South contexts, as well as recognising and encouraging creativities from the Global South Diaspora.