Poetry goes no further than language: Curator Floor Talk
Saturday 2 May 2026, 12–1pm
Join exhibition curator Carol Yinghua Lu and Buxton Contemporary curator Annika Aitken for a guided walk through Poetry goes no further than language. Tracing the emergence of conceptualism in late-1980s China, this program explores the radical experiments of New Measurement Group and Shanghai-based artist Qian Weikang, and introduces new, responsive works by Melbourne artist Darcey Bella Arnold. Gain deeper insight into the ideas, debates, and artistic breakthroughs that redefined art in China.
Poetry goes no further than language is curated by Liu Ding and Carol Yinghua Lu, and runs until 3 October 2026.
Event Details
Saturday 2 May 2026 12pm-1pm
Access
Buxton Contemporary is fully wheelchair accessible. Find detailed information about building access and available resources on our Visit page. Please contact the gallery at buxton-contemporary@unimelb.edu.au or on 03 9035 9339 if you have any questions or would like to request an accommodation.
ABOUT THE CURATORS
Carol Yinghua Lu is an art historian and a curator based in Beijing. She holds a Doctorate in art history from University of Melbourne. She is the director of Beijing Inside-Out Art Museum. She was a recipient of the ARIAH (Association of Research Institute in Art History) East Asia Fellowship (2017) and visiting fellow in the Asia-Pacific Fellowship Program at the Tate Research Centre (2013).
Annika Aitken is a writer and curator based in Naarm (Melbourne). She is currently Curator, Art Museums at the University of Melbourne where she works on exhibitions and publishing projects across Buxton Contemporary and the Potter Museum of Art. Previously, she worked at the National Gallery of Victoria and as co-editor of the first two editions of the NGV’s critical imprint series. She has managed a range of arts projects across state, local government and the private sector, and collaborative projects with artist-run organisations.
Image credit: Qian Weikang, Ladder Poem 1990 (2023), chalk, paper, dictionary. Courtesy the artist and Inside-Out Art Museum, Beijing.