Staff Journeys: Dr Amanda (Xiao) Ju
UCL History of Art is a diverse and inclusive department; our 'Staff Journeys' series highlights the different routes that our staff have taken to get into their roles in art history.
As part of our commitment to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion, Izzie Harvey, our Communications and Events Manager, speaks with Dr Amanda (Xiao) Ju on her journey to becoming Lecturer in Contemporary Art at UCL.
Izzie: Hello, Amanda! Thank you for meeting with me. Please start by introducing yourself and telling us a bit about your background.
Amanda: Hi, Izzie. Nice to meet you, too! My name is Amanda (Xiao) Ju. I'm originally from China. I moved to the US when I was 18 for college. I stayed there for about 13 years and then moved to Berlin in the winter of 2023.
Izzie: That's quite a journey! Where did you attend university?
Amanda: I went to Barnard College in New York for my BA in Art History. After that, I pursued my PhD at the University of Rochester, New York, specialising in Visual and Cultural Studies. I'm moving to the UK to take up my position as Lecturer in Contemporary Art at UCL History of Art. The position focuses on global contemporary art, but my work explicitly emphasises contemporary art from East Asia and its diaspora.
Izzie: Your research sounds fascinating. It definitely fills an essential space in our curriculum. What projects are you currently working on?
Amanda: I'm part of a research group studying the history of Chinese art academies, particularly their international exchanges with the Soviet Union, Eastern Europe, and parts of Central Asia. I'm also revising my dissertation into a book tentatively titled Our Common Selves. It's about representations of Chinese selfhood from immediately after the 1989 Tiananmen Square protests to the early 2000s.
Izzie: That sounds intriguing. What inspired you to focus on that topic for your dissertation?
Amanda: Initially, I intended to write about the artist Louise Lawler and her conceptual work on American wars in the Middle East. However, about two years into graduate school, I realised there was extensive scholarship on conceptual photography and post-war American art but much less on contemporary Chinese art. So, I shifted my focus to contemporary Chinese art, particularly its gender dynamics and the legacy of socialist China.
Izzie: Our students are eager to learn more about East Asian and Chinese art. What has your career journey been like since graduating from the University of Rochester?
Amanda: A year before finishing, I spent time at the Metropolitan Museum in New York, researching Asian American art and completing my dissertation. After defending my dissertation, I moved to Berlin to join a research group as a postdoc.
Izzie: And do you have any special interests to bring to your work here?
Amanda: I'm very interested in addressing the disparities in students' preparedness due to their high school backgrounds. I aim to create scaffolded assignments that build the necessary skills gradually, making art history more accessible and less daunting.
Amanda: I've always dreamed of teaching global contemporary art from a transcultural perspective, and this role perfectly aligns with that. London is a fantastic place for teaching East Asian contemporary art, thanks to its rich resources like Tate Modern and art organisations like Asymmetry. Additionally, I've admired the work of many professors in the Department and am excited to join them as a colleague. Just to name a few, Tamar Garb's work was foundational during my undergraduate years, and Mignon Nixon's work significantly influenced me. I wanted to study with her while applying to graduate universities.
Izzie: We're all excited to welcome and work with you! What professional or academic accomplishment are you most proud of?
Amanda: Despite the challenges, I'm most proud that I stuck with my goal of becoming an art historian since my sophomore year of college. The journey was neither easy nor transparent, but perseverance paid off.
Izzie: That tells me a little about your approach to work. Can you give us some tips about handling productivity and stress in academia?
Amanda: Honestly, I'm not the most productive person, but writing consistently, even if just a paragraph a day, helps keep my skills sharp. When stressed, I run or do yoga to clear my mind. I also thrive on collaboration; it's intellectually stimulating and rewarding.
Izzie: Speaking of collaboration then, who would be your ideal mentor, and why?
Amanda: I've been fortunate to have many great mentors who offered timely intellectual interventions, encouragement, and friendship. A line by poet Donna Ward resonates with me: "The many gendered mothers of my heart." That perfectly describes my mentors.
Izzie: That's beautiful. What are you looking forward to about living in London?
Amanda: The food! Every visit to London has been a culinary delight. After my last interview, I had amazing Malaysian food at Med Salleh Kopitiam, and I'm excited to explore more.
Izzie: We have many foodies in the Department who would love to explore some of the restaurants with you. Do you have any other interesting facts about yourself you'd like to share?
Amanda: After my dissertation defence, I went on a mini-vacation to Mexico City. The architecture, especially the vibrant private residences, and the budding contemporary art scene there are incredible. I was particularly inspired by the work of Mexican architect Luis Barragán and the independent art space, the Vernacular Institute, by Taiwanese curator Jo Ying Peng. It's a place to which I dream of returning.
Izzie: I have yet to visit Mexico, but it's certainly on my bucket list. Lastly, do you have any advice for our staff, students, and alumni?
Amanda: If you don't succeed at something the first time, don't give up. I applied for this job twice and got it the second time. Persistence is key.
Izzie: Thank you, Amanda. It was wonderful talking to you.
Amanda: Thank you, Izzie.