NYC Gallery Art Walk

Join The Serica Initiative and the Katonah Museum of Art for a special guided exploration of contemporary Asian art in New York City. Led by renowned curator Michelle Yun Mapplethorpe, Director and Chief Curator of the Katonah Museum of Art, this immersive experience will introduce you to groundbreaking Asian and Asian American artists whose work spans multiple media and cultural perspectives. Michelle will provide thoughtful commentary and introductions at each gallery, making the walk not only a visual journey but a deeply engaging learning experience.

Guests will also enjoy starting and ending receptions, providing opportunities to connect with fellow attendees, gallery staff, and even some of the artists themselves over light refreshments.

Tour Itinerary:

• 3:00 PM- Il Lee at Art Projects International

  • Known for his decades-long exploration of the ballpoint pen as an artistic medium, Il Lee creates large-scale abstract works that push the boundaries of drawing and painting.

    
    

• 4:00 PM — Naotaka Hiro & Xiyadie at Bortolami Gallery

  • Naotaka Hiro blends body-based performance, sculpture, and drawing to create works that speak to the physicality of being.

  • Xiyadie, also known as "the Siberian Butterfly," is celebrated for his intricate paper-cutting art, which addresses queer identity and personal narrative in powerful, intimate ways.

    
    

• 4:25 PM — Kay Sekimachi at Andrew Kreps Gallery

  • A pioneering fiber artist, Kay Sekimachi has worked with innovative weaving and sculptural forms since the 1950s, redefining craft and its relationship to contemporary art.

    
    

• 4:45 PM — Gaku Tsutaja at Ulterior Gallery

  • Based in Queens, Tsutaja uses multimedia to examine hidden and suppressed histories of the nuclear age and war memory. Her internationally recognized work has been exhibited at venues such as the Hawaii Triennial, Hiroshima MoCA, and the Taro Okamoto Museum of Art.

    
    

 Why Attend?

• Discover some of the most innovative contemporary Asian artists working today.

• Gain unique insights from Michelle Yun Mapplethorpe, one of the leading voices in Asian modern and contemporary art.

• Connect with fellow art lovers, collectors, and cultural leaders during exclusive networking receptions.

Reserve your spot today for this unique cultural experience in the heart of NYC’s art district!

Michelle Yun Mapplethorpe is Director and Chief Curator of the Katonah Museum of Art. She was formerly Vice President for Global Artistic Programs and Director of the Asia Society Museum, following her tenure as Senior Curator of Modern and Contemporary Art. Over the course of her career, Yun Mapplethorpe has curated or co-curated over forty exhibitions, largely focusing on Asian modern and contemporary art. She has served in curatorial capacities at Hunter College, Cai Guo-Qiang’s studio, and the Painting and Sculpture Department at MoMA. Yun Mapplethorpe is a widely published author and frequent lecturer on modern and contemporary art. 

Thank you to Katona Museum of Art for their partnership!