Conversation with Özge Ersoy
Looking back at 25 years of Asia Art Archive
Özge Ersoy, new Executive Director of Asia Art Archive. Image courtesy of Moving Image Studio.
This year marks the 25th anniversary of Asia Art Archive (AAA). Founded in 2000, AAA has documented diverse histories of contemporary art in Asia, while serving the community through knowledge sharing. From a single bookshelf, their archive has grown to encompass over 140,000 records that are activated through a variety of initiatives, including exhibitions, programmes, publications and residencies.
Coinciding with their anniversary, Özge Ersoy has been appointed its new Executive Director. She succeeds Christopher K. Ho after his four-year tenure, which saw a thirty-percent growth in AAA’s collections, as well as the introduction of other key initiatives such as a two-year research project titled Recalling Disappearance. Ersoy joined the AAA team in 2017 as Public Programmes Lead before becoming the Mimi Brown & Alp Erçil Senior Curator. In her time at AAA so far, she has co-curated shows at AAA’s library and contributed to articles through her research, focusing on innovative approaches to collecting, exhibition-making, and publishing in contemporary art. We speak with Ersoy on this occasion to find out more about her vision for AAA, as well as her reflections on the last 25 years of the organisation’s history.
Congratulations on your appointment as AAA’s Executive Director! Could you tell us more about your vision for AAA as it crosses this landmark threshold?
Thank you, Art & Market team! I am both humbled and energised to step into the role of Executive Director at AAA during our 25th anniversary. Since joining AAA in 2017, I have had the privilege of working across collections, exhibitions, and programmes, and I have seen how archives can be more than repositories—they can inspire creativity and build community. My vision builds on this: to deepen accessibility, strengthen regional partnerships, and nurture AAA as a hub for collaboration, care, and curiosity. I am thrilled that this year marks another milestone as we recently launched the D-Lab, our new digitisation facility, which not only doubles our capacity but also trains future archivists in Hong Kong. Ultimately, I aim to position AAA as a dynamic space where art histories are safeguarded, activated, and made relevant for generations to come.
Digitisation Lab, Asia Art Archive. Image courtesy of Asia Art Archive.
Who is the team that you will be working with? Could you elaborate on their respective roles, including yours?
AAA’s strength lies in its team. I work alongside a remarkable team of researchers, educators, librarians, archivists, editors, curators, and administrators—many of whom I have had the joy of collaborating with closely over the years. Each brings deep expertise and an incredible sense of commitment to our mission. My role now is to guide the organisation’s strategic direction, ensure sustainability, and create the conditions for the team to thrive. Having grown within AAA myself, I know firsthand how important it is to foster a culture where generosity can flourish.
What are lessons from your vast research and curatorial practice spanning non-profit organisations, art centres, biennales, and grant-making foundations that you hope to apply in your leadership?
In my work, three lessons continue to guide me. First, collaboration is essential. From artist-run spaces to biennials, I have seen how partnerships spark new forms of creativity. Second, the act of listening—really listening—to artists, communities, and colleagues is invaluable. It ensures an institution remains alive to changing needs. Third, my time in art centres and foundations taught me the value of long-term investment: in people, research, and infrastructure, so that impact is lasting. At AAA, I want to bring these lessons together: to collaborate widely, listen deeply, and think long-term.
“At AAA, I want to bring these lessons together: to collaborate widely, listen deeply, and think long-term.”
Asia Art Archive’s library in Hong Kong. Image courtesy of Moving Image Studio.
Reflecting on the last 25 years of AAA’s history, what are some cornerstones of its work that it has continued to sustain? Are there also major milestones that mark a pivot in its evolution and growth as an organisation?
Since its founding, AAA has remained anchored by three cornerstones: building resources, supporting research, and ensuring access and activation. A turning point came around 2010, when digitisation became central to our mission. That shift, from preservation to digital custodianship and open sharing, reshaped how we think about archives and who they are for. Another milestone was the 2022 renovation of our Hong Kong library, which I remember walking into for the first time after the transformation: It felt like a living room for art history, hosting exhibitions, performances, and conversations. These evolutions reflect how AAA has grown into an active participant in shaping art histories across Asia.
Imelda Cajipe-Endaya, Butikas, 1976, edition 69 of 85, serigraphy, 67.3 x 49.5 cm. Generously donated by Silverlens.
A large part of AAA’s mission is to collectively expand knowledge by working closely with communities within the arts ecosystem. In your opinion, what is the impact that AAA has achieved so far in the global arts scene, and what more is there that you wish to do?
Over the past twenty-five years, AAA has helped place Asia’s recent art histories firmly on the global stage. We have created a vibrant hub where scholars, artists, educators, students, and art professionals from around the world come into our library or access our collections online and encounter materials that transform how we understand the region. Our collections find their way into research articles, museum exhibitions, artists’ projects, and educational curricula. Looking ahead, I aspire to expand this impact by fostering deeper cross-regional partnerships and testing new digital technologies in ways that advance AAA’s mission. My vision is to further enable our users not only to consult archives but also to actively shape them. This aligns with our core mission: ensuring that diverse and underrepresented voices are not only preserved but also celebrated and amplified. By doing so, we can create a richer, more inclusive art history.
“My vision is to further enable our users not only to consult archives but also to actively shape them.”
Ding Yi, 十示 2023-B24, 2023, acrylic, and pencil on handmade paper, 43.3 x 31 cm. Generously donated by the artist.
What are some recent priorities in AAA’s collecting and research?
A key focus has been documenting recent art histories across Asia through multi-year projects. We are concluding a two-year initiative in Hong Kong that introduced three new artists’ archives, featuring materials about conceptual photography and artists’ contributions to print newspapers, from the 1990s onward. Another highlight is our Independent Art Spaces of Taiwan project, in collaboration with the Taiwan Contemporary Culture Lab. Earlier this year, we organised a symposium in Taipei about independent art spaces, which brought together speakers from Singapore, Indonesia, Thailand, Vietnam, the Philippines, India, and Taiwan.
As we develop our collections, we remain committed to sharing our knowledge through exhibitions, publications, symposia, and educational initiatives. Another example is Assembling Art Archive, a year-long series of workshops led by our Asia Art Archive in India team, which gathers archivists and researchers from South Asia to discuss archiving practices today. This exemplifies AAA’s role as a connector, enabling dialogue across places and generations.
Ho Tzu Nyen, F for Fold (The Critical Dictionary of Southeast Asia), 2021, edition 1 of 10 + 2 AP, artist's book in collaboration with Currency Design Configurations variation, 7.1 x 12.8 x 18.5 cm. Generously donated by the artist and Kiang Malingue.
AAA will be holding its annual fundraiser in November with online bidding beginning on 27 October, followed by a preview exhibition at Christie’s from 7 to 11 November, and a gala dinner and live auction on 14 November. Would you be able to share with us some highlights in this year’s auction?
This year’s auction is particularly meaningful as we celebrate our 25th anniversary. We are honoured to present more than seventy works generously donated by artists, galleries, and patrons with deep ties to AAA. Highlights include pieces by renowned artists from East Asia, such as Ding Yi, Luis Chan, and teamLab, along with works by leading artists from Southeast Asia, including Ho Tzu Nyen, Mella Jaarsma, Pinaree Santipak, and Imelda Cajipe-Endaya. I am also delighted that we have the beautiful 1960s prints by masters like Jyoti Bhatt and Krishna Reddy reflecting the intergenerational and cross-regional spirit of our mission. Online bidding for the silent lots will be available starting in late October, allowing anyone from around the world to participate in this celebration.
The preview exhibition at Christie’s Hong Kong from 7 to 11 November will be a special moment—it is always moving to see these remarkable works gathered and to feel the generosity of the artists, galleries, and patrons who make our work possible. I eagerly anticipate the gala dinner on 14 November, which will honour AAA’s contributions to the arts field and our communities over the past two decades. I cannot wait to share these celebratory moments with everyone who has been part of our journey.
Jyoti Bhatt, Laughing Monk-heads, 1965, print on paper, 35 x 52 cm. Generously donated by Lisa Robins Pauze and Herve Pauze.
teamLab, Flower and Corpse Glitch, 2012, digital work, single channel, 19 min 25 sec (loop), 122 × 69 × 15 cm, edition 4 of 10 + 1 AP. Generously donated by Ikkan and Miho Sanada.
How do you foresee continuing AAA’s partnership with your donors?
We are deeply grateful for the continued support of artists, patrons, and galleries who have stood by us over the years, and we are thrilled to welcome new donors into our community this year. These relationships are grounded in shared values, such as supporting cultural exchange and creating a lasting impact on art history. We prioritise communication about the impact of our work and strive to build trust over time. Our commitment is to cultivate this shared purpose and invite our donors to actively engage with our vision.
What are the key programmes or projects that the auction will fund?
Proceeds from the auction will go directly into sustaining AAA’s core mission: building collections, advancing research, and sharing knowledge. They will help us support our archive projects, expand regional collaborations, and develop new resources that broaden access. In essence, the auction is not just about raising funds. It is about ensuring that the art histories of Asia remain alive and connected to communities worldwide. It is a way of securing the future of knowledge that is collective, dynamic, and deeply rooted in the region.
This article is presented in partnership with Asia Art Archive.
Asia Art Archive will hold its annual fundraiser starting with an online auction which will run from 27 October to 14 November, followed by a live auction and dinner happening on 14 November. To cast your bid, or for more information, click here.
