Aaron Seeto is the Director of 4A Centre for Contemporary Asian Art, a non-profit contemporary art space in Sydney’s Chinatown. Through a dynamic program including local and international exhibitions, public programs, workshops, education, professional development, symposia and community activities, 4A explores the central role that artists and visual arts play in understanding the dynamic relationship between Australia and the Asia-Pacific region.
These have been recognised locally and internationally as having raised awareness of Asian-Australian art and culture and Australia‘s place in the Asia-Pacific region. As a curator of contemporary Asian art, Aaron Seeto’s curatorial work revolves around the Asia-Pacific region and the impact and experience of migration and globalisation on contemporary art practice.
He has developed significant projects with key Australian and international artists for a range of cultural institutions including the Inter-City Pavilions Project for the 9th Shanghai Biennale; 4A Centre for Contemporary Asian Art, Sydney; the Museum of Contemporary Art, Sydney and Campbelltown Arts Centre.
What did you want to be when you grew up?
I have always wanted to work in the arts, except for a short period when I was enrolled in a law degree.
When did you know you would work in the arts?
At the end of my 3rd year at University I made the decision to stop studying law and dedicate myself to working in the visual arts.
How would you describe your work to a complete stranger?
I am a curator of contemporary Asian art, I work with artists to make exhibitions – my job is to research, organise and promote them.
Is there a mission to your work?
I’m passionate about contemporary Asian art and culture, I really believe that being exposed to Asian art is fundamental to participating in the contemporary international context. If we are to better understand the history that emerges from our geography, Australians should be more conversant and literate when it comes to the art of our region.
What’s your background – what did you study to get to where you are?
I was born in Sydney, I studied a Bachelor of Creative Arts at Wollongong University, and began interning and working at 4A in my honours year (it was called Gallery 4A then). Early on I was supported by a group of Wollongong-based curators and artists, to really think seriously about working in the contemporary Asian Art field. It was this early support and advice that allowed me to think that I could work in a meaningful way in the arts in Australia. This group of people was truly inspirational and generous, and a model for me when I engage with young artists and curators.
What’s the first thing career related you usually do each day? I log on to skype and I check my emails…
Can youdescribe an “average” working day for you?
There’s nothing really average about what we do at 4A, so no day is ever average! I run a small team who oversee a very energetic and international program. Our ‘average’ day depends on what we are working on and who we are working with. We could be dealing with artists, overseas curators, studios, international galleries, freight companies, media, philanthropists, academics, writers or government across Australia, or across different time zones.
What’s the one thing – piece of equipment, toy, security blanket, – you can’t work without?
Artists
What gets you fired up?
There is an enduring lack of understanding and curiosity about contemporary Asian art in this country. In order to understand Australia’s history and geography and the way in which international dialogues are currently reforming, this lack of understanding needs to be addressed. In fact it needed to be addressed last century! As governments and institutions talk about the so-called Asian Century, they need to do so with a better appreciation of the work that has already been done by individual artists, curators, academics, writers and small organisations over decades of research, programming and practice. Institutions and policy makers need to speak to artists and those working in the field, and they need to value their work as important and having long-term effect outside of the purely cultural.
Who in the industry most inspires you?
Working with young artists and young curators.
What is the best thing about your job?
Working with artists and transforming strange and ambitious ideas into programs. There’s satisfaction in seeing how a kernel of an idea turns into a work or an exhibition and how things go on to have an impact in other people’s lives. For instance, when we recently presented The Floating Eye – The Sydney Pavilion at the 9th Shanghai Biennale, the man who owned the printing company who produced our exhibition guidebook liked the idea of the exhibition so much, he drove 6 hours from Xiamen to Shanghai just to see it. Or in Chinatown, Sydney, the man who cleans all of the local retailers shop windows always makes a point to come in and see our exhibitions.
What’s the most challenging aspect?
I love a challenge.
What are the top three skills you need in this industry?
The ability to work in a team The ability to be flexible The ability to laugh at yourself and not take things too seriously.
What advice would you give anyone looking to break into your field?
Find someone who inspires you and intern or volunteer with them. It is the best training that you will ever get. You don’t learn everything from a course.
How do you know when you missed the mark?
You know when you miss the mark…
Which of the below phrases best suits your career development to date and why?
a.”The road to success is always under construction.”
b. “Opportunity dances with those who are already on the dance floor.”
c. “Success is best measured by how far you’ve come with the talents you’ve been given. ”
d. “No one can cheat you out of ultimate success but yourself.”
That’s a weird question… I don’t live my life through an aphorism.
When do you know you’ve made it?
I don’t think that you ever really do, as long as you are working, there’s always another challenge ahead of you.
For more information visit 4A Centre for Contemporary Asian Art.
