Curatorial
Practice
Sha Li’s curatorial practice explores the intersection of digital innovation, interactive storytelling, and participatory models, shifting curation from static exhibitions to living, interconnected networks. Her work redefines how contemporary art is experienced by emphasizing audience participation, digital engagement, and decentralized knowledge-sharing.
Her research traces this evolution—from performaces and installations to blockchain-based participation and peer-driven curatorial ecosystems—positioning curation as a relational, evolving framework rather than a fixed structure. By integrating technology, participatory models, and decentralized knowledge networks, she develops methodologies that prioritize accessibility, co-creation, and engagement beyond institutional boundaries.
At the core of her work are key questions that drive her research:
⭐ How can digital curation function as a dynamic, adaptive system that remains relevant, accessible, and reflective of contemporary artistic and intellectual discourse?
⭐ How do participatory models reshape audience engagement and artistic agency?
⭐ How can curators, artists, and audiences collaboratively create decentralized, sustainable knowledge-sharing systems that foster a more interconnected and resilient art ecosystem?
By embracing these inquiries, Sha Li continues to explore how curatorial practice can foster deeper connections—between art, audiences, and the evolving digital landscape.
🌖 Teaching and Sharing
Sha Li shared insights on the pandemic's impact on artistic practices during the Frank Davis Memorial Lecture Series "Asian Art after Quarantine," hosted by Dr. Wenny Teo at the Courtauld Institute of Art in London, UK.
She also taught "Co-creating Digital Art/Object, NFTs, and the Metaverse" at the China Academy of Art in Hangzhou, employing collaborative tools like Miro to foster peer learning and collective creative thinking. Student reflections on this process can be viewed [here].
As a guest lecturer for the Digital Direction MA programme at the Royal College of Art in London, UK, Li introduced digital curatorial thinking and provided guidance for the [Final Output Show of 2023], conceptualized as a cyclical creative ecosystem. The students transformed into a self-organized group on Discord, resembling a Decentralized Autonomous Organization (DAO). Within this dynamic network, they actively collaborated and provided peer-to-peer support, nurturing both artistic and curatorial practices. The exhibition blossomed into a digital garden, showcasing the vast potential of cross-pollinated creativity and making meaningful connections among members.
🌗 Contemporary Art Institutions
Sha Li has collaborated with esteemed art institutions globally, including the Royal College of Art in London, UK; Lisson Gallery in London, UK; the Courtauld Institute of Art in London, UK; Art021 in Shanghai, China; the China Academy of Art in Hangzhou, China; and Nottingham Contemporary in Nottingham, UK. Her curatorial practice has been supported by the Canada Council for the Arts and Arts Council England.
🌘 Background
Sha Li holds a Master of Arts degree in Curating Contemporary Art from the Royal College of Art in London, UK, and a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Film and Integrated Media from Emily Carr University of Art and Design in Vancouver, Canada.
Sha Li is currently based in Calgary, AB, Canada.
Her research traces this evolution—from performaces and installations to blockchain-based participation and peer-driven curatorial ecosystems—positioning curation as a relational, evolving framework rather than a fixed structure. By integrating technology, participatory models, and decentralized knowledge networks, she develops methodologies that prioritize accessibility, co-creation, and engagement beyond institutional boundaries.
At the core of her work are key questions that drive her research:
⭐ How can digital curation function as a dynamic, adaptive system that remains relevant, accessible, and reflective of contemporary artistic and intellectual discourse?
⭐ How do participatory models reshape audience engagement and artistic agency?
⭐ How can curators, artists, and audiences collaboratively create decentralized, sustainable knowledge-sharing systems that foster a more interconnected and resilient art ecosystem?
By embracing these inquiries, Sha Li continues to explore how curatorial practice can foster deeper connections—between art, audiences, and the evolving digital landscape.
🌖 Teaching and Sharing
Sha Li shared insights on the pandemic's impact on artistic practices during the Frank Davis Memorial Lecture Series "Asian Art after Quarantine," hosted by Dr. Wenny Teo at the Courtauld Institute of Art in London, UK.
She also taught "Co-creating Digital Art/Object, NFTs, and the Metaverse" at the China Academy of Art in Hangzhou, employing collaborative tools like Miro to foster peer learning and collective creative thinking. Student reflections on this process can be viewed [here].
As a guest lecturer for the Digital Direction MA programme at the Royal College of Art in London, UK, Li introduced digital curatorial thinking and provided guidance for the [Final Output Show of 2023], conceptualized as a cyclical creative ecosystem. The students transformed into a self-organized group on Discord, resembling a Decentralized Autonomous Organization (DAO). Within this dynamic network, they actively collaborated and provided peer-to-peer support, nurturing both artistic and curatorial practices. The exhibition blossomed into a digital garden, showcasing the vast potential of cross-pollinated creativity and making meaningful connections among members.
🌗 Contemporary Art Institutions
Sha Li has collaborated with esteemed art institutions globally, including the Royal College of Art in London, UK; Lisson Gallery in London, UK; the Courtauld Institute of Art in London, UK; Art021 in Shanghai, China; the China Academy of Art in Hangzhou, China; and Nottingham Contemporary in Nottingham, UK. Her curatorial practice has been supported by the Canada Council for the Arts and Arts Council England.
🌘 Background
Sha Li holds a Master of Arts degree in Curating Contemporary Art from the Royal College of Art in London, UK, and a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Film and Integrated Media from Emily Carr University of Art and Design in Vancouver, Canada.
Sha Li is currently based in Calgary, AB, Canada.
🌕 Collaboration
Sha Li is deeply grateful for the opportunity to work with and exhibit the works of many talented artists, curators, and researchers, including:
- Aaron Ratajczyk
- Adam Christensen
- Andrew Thomas Huang
- Angela Blanc
- April Lin and Jasmine Lin
- Ayesha Tan Jones
- Bette Gordon
- Camille Baker
- Cang Xin
- Cerith Wyn Evans
- Charlotte dos Santos
- Chen Peifang
- Chen Qiang
- Chen Xi
- Chen Wencun
- CHOOC LY
- Christine Sun Kim
- Cui Yu
- Deng Jianjin
- Deborah Stratman
- Dong Mo
- Eva Gold
- Fang He
- Feng Zhixuan
- Gaia Fugazza
- Ge Yulu
- Greg Hilty
- Han Bo
- Haroon Mirza
- He Gong
- He Xiangyu
- Jade Barget
- James Richards and Steve Reinke
- Jesse Ash
- Ji Xuefeng
- Jin Haofan
- Jin Jinjin
- Jin Jinghong
- Juan Po
- Jade Barget
- Ken McMullen
- Ke Ming
- Lena Dobrowolska
- Li Danni
- Li Fei
- Li Huiyi
- LI YILEI
- Li JiKai
- Li Jingxiong
- Li Liao
- Li Zhongwei
- Li Zi
- Lindsey Wiercioch
- Liu Xinyi
- Lu Shan
- Luigi Galimberti
- Luo Kai
- Luxi Liu
- Ma Jun
- Mary Helena Clark
- Matt Kane
- Pak
- Panos Fourtoulakis
- Popo Fan
- Pu Yingwei
- Ren Lili
- Sarah Zucker
- Shahryar Nashat
- Shen Boliang
- Sidsel Meineche Hansen
- Sin單 Wai慧 Kin乾 (formerly Victoria Sin)
- Sophie Dupont
- Tan Tian
- Tan Tan
- Thuy-Han Nguyen-Chi
- Tom Simmons
- Wang Haiyang
- Wang Zhiyi
- Wen Jing
- Wenny Teo
- Whiskey Chow
- Yang Fan
- Yang Fei
- Yi-Ning Lin
- Yu Tongzhou
- Yuan Han
- Zhang Chi
- Zhang Jing
- Zhu Xu
- Zi Jie