Kam Chan (b.1983) lives and works in Edinburgh, Scotland.
Working across disciplines from printmaking to performance and materials such as clay and photography, Kam is within an ongoing battle to understand “what does it mean to belong in something?”
To expose the in-between and ‘just’ happening spaces that are often overlooked or missed.
My Art is Dead comes from the idea that art (as a verb) is mourning; between being created (thus alive) and being completed (thus dead). As artists we are between remembering and forgetting. Kam wants to celebrate the mundane pauses that happen in this space and allow for conversation to happen between our thoughts, material, process and place.
Outside of her conceptual art practices, Kam is the Engagement Producer for the Edinburgh Futures Institues Innovation Services. https://efi.ed.ac.uk/ ; co-Vice President for Visual Arts Scotland visualartsscotland.org and, a co-producer with the Architecture Fringe architecturefringe.com
From 2018 -2022, Kam was the Programme Adminstrator for Creative Informatics, a collaborative AHRC research & development project with The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh Napier University, Creative Edinburgh and CodeBase.
Working across disciplines from printmaking to performance and materials such as clay and photography, Kam is within an ongoing battle to understand “what does it mean to belong in something?”
To expose the in-between and ‘just’ happening spaces that are often overlooked or missed.
My Art is Dead comes from the idea that art (as a verb) is mourning; between being created (thus alive) and being completed (thus dead). As artists we are between remembering and forgetting. Kam wants to celebrate the mundane pauses that happen in this space and allow for conversation to happen between our thoughts, material, process and place.
Outside of her conceptual art practices, Kam is the Engagement Producer for the Edinburgh Futures Institues Innovation Services. https://efi.ed.ac.uk/ ; co-Vice President for Visual Arts Scotland visualartsscotland.org and, a co-producer with the Architecture Fringe architecturefringe.com
From 2018 -2022, Kam was the Programme Adminstrator for Creative Informatics, a collaborative AHRC research & development project with The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh Napier University, Creative Edinburgh and CodeBase.
Education
2009 - Master of Fine Art - Distinction
2008 - BA(hons) Art, Philosophy, Contemporary Practices - 1st Class Honours
Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art & Design, University of Dundee
Awards
2008 - William Sangster Phillips Postgraduate Award
2007 - The Cross Trust Undergraduate Vacation Award
2007 - Carnegie Travel Scholarship Award, shortlisted artist
Group Exhibitions
February 2024 - Then & Now, VAS Annual Exhibition, Royal Scottish Academy, Edinburgh
March 2022 - REVERB, VAS Annual Exhibition (online)
November 2020 - Out of Sight, Out of Mind, Summerhall, Edinburgh
April 2018 - A Legacy of Art and Design, University of Dundee
June 2014 - ArtFest, charity fundraiser, RBS HQ, Gogarburn, Edinburgh
November 2011 - Poetry Beyond Text, Royal Scottish Academy, Edinburgh
April 2011 - Altered Images, Axolotl Gallery, Edinburgh
October 2009 - o nought zero, Taigh Chearsabhagh, North Uist September 2009 - Masters Degree Show, Francis Cooper Gallery, Dundee
February 2008 - The Visible and the Invisible, Lower Foyer Gallery, Dundee
November 2007 - Preview, Roseangle Gallery, Dundee
Talks/Events
February 2024 - Scottish Society of Art History -
November 2018 - What I want to be when I grow up, Talking Heads, Creative Edinburgh, Edinburgh College of Art
May 2018 - A Legacy of Art and Design, University of Dundee
October 2011 - Edinburgh Artists’ DIY Soapbox, Collective, Edinburgh
June 2011 - Select, Coup Red, Embassy Annuale, Edinburgh
June 2010 - Reading group session, The City and the Stars, Stills, Edinburgh
October 2009 - Artist talk o, nought, zero: behind, in front of, without, Taigh Chearsabhagh, North Uist
Performances/ Participant
Various 2009 - Exchange performances with Jonathon Baxter https://jonathanbaxter.me
August 2009 - Pamela So, Diaspora project, Edinburgh Internationa Festival
February 2009 - Exquiste Corpse - a contemporary unfolding, Francis Cooper Gallery Dundee
Work History (Creative Industries)
June 2021 - Technical event Support, ArchiFringe 2021
August 2014 - Artist Liaison, Scottish Parliament, Edinburgh International Culture Summit
April - June 2014 - Gallery Information Assistant, Corin Sworn, Inverleith House, Edinburgh (voluntary)
March 2013 - Registration assistant, Engendering Dialogue II Conference, University of Dundee
September 2011 - Contributing writer, review of Robert Barry at the Common Guild for this is tomorrow, http://thisistomorrow.info/articles/robert-barry-words-and-music (voluntary)
September 2010 - Press & Marketing Intern, assisting New Century PR, Edinburgh Art Festival (voluntary)
August 2010 - Artist Liaison Officer, Edinburgh Mela Festival (voluntary)
January -May 2010 - Research & Development Assistant, Stills, Edinburgh (voluntary)
March - May 2010 International Curators & Professional Registration Assistant, Glasgow International Festival of Visual Arts (voluntary)
July 2009 - Conference Assistant, University of Dundee, 2nd Annual Film & Philosophy Conference (voluntary)
July 2009 - Freelance Art tutor for Art Matters, Action For Children, San Jai Chinese Family Project, Glasgow
March 2009 - Gallery Invigilation, Back of the Head: Some Alternative Approaches to Portraiture, Francis Cooper Gallery, Dundee (voluntary)
November 2007 - Fine Art rep for DJCAD at NSEAD 10th Art and Design Directory, Perth
October 2006 - Market Researcher, The Burrell Collection, Glasgow (work experience)
August 2003 - Gallery Information Assistant, After Image: Simryn Gill, Ana Mendieta, Cindy Sherman, Francesca Woodman The Fruitmarket Gallery, Edinburgh (voluntary)