About Us

The UK’s only non-profit institution specialising in presenting and platforming artists and art practices that are informed by East and Southeast Asian (ESEA) heritages.

Learn more
Plan your visit
We are open today from 12pm – 5pm.
We are open today from 10am – 5pm.
We are open today from 10am – 5pm.
We are open today from 10am – 5pm.
We are open today from 10am – 5pm.
We are open today from 10am – 5pm.
We are closed today.

What's On

Exhibitions
Jane Jin Kaisen: Halmang
Current
Upcoming
Past
Exhibition
Jane Jin Kaisen: Halmang
from
20
January
2024
until
23
June
2024
esea contemporary presents Jane Jin Kaisen's first UK solo show ‘Halmang’, featuring polyphonic moving-image works, archive and reference materials. By weaving together oceanic cosmology and gendered histories, the exhibition is an in-depth inquiry into narratives of subjective and collective loss, resilience, and the formation of alternative communities.

Featured

Events
Both Sides Now 9: Generations
Event
Both Sides Now 9: Generations
from
until
25
April
2024
18:30 - 20:30
esea contemporary is pleased to host the screening programme 'Both Sides Now 9: Generations', curated by videoclub and Videotage
Feminist Duration Reading Group: Tonight, there’s no place for me to put down my poem
Event
Jane Jin Kaisen: Halmang
Feminist Duration Reading Group: Tonight, there’s no place for me to put down my poem
from
until
14
April
2024
14:00 - 16:00
esea contemporary is pleased to co-host an in-person reading session with the Feminist Duration Reading Group, led by Taey Iohe and Grace Eunhye Park. Through three lyrical texts, the session will reflect on the different social multiplicity of gender and migratory encounters in the concurrent ecological, social, and political crises of our time.
esea ArtClub: Year of the Wood Dragon Painting Workshop
Event
esea ArtClub
esea ArtClub: Year of the Wood Dragon Painting Workshop
from
until
21
March
2024
11:00 - 13:00
In the spirit of the Lunar New Year, join us for this painting workshop to craft your own interpretations of the Wood Dragon.
Online talk: In conversation with Karen Smith
Event
Online talk: In conversation with Karen Smith
from
until
6
April
2024
10:00 - 11:30
Join us online for a conversation between Karen Smith, curator and Director of Academic Initiatives at De Ying Foundation, and Xiaowen Zhu, Director of esea contemporary.
Choreography of Care: Movement Workshop with Yon Natalie Mik
Event
Choreography of Care: Movement Workshop with Yon Natalie Mik
from
until
13
April
2024
14:30 - 16:00
Join Yon Natalie Mik for a choreography workshop with reference to Korean shamanism, experiencing collective movement and sculptural paper notations.
Saturday Guided Tour: 'Jane Jin Kaisen: Halmang'
Event
Jane Jin Kaisen: Halmang
Saturday Guided Tour: 'Jane Jin Kaisen: Halmang'
from
20
January
2024
until
20
April
2024
14:00 - 15:00
On every Saturday, join us in the gallery for a free guided tour of esea contemporary’s exhibition 'Jane Jin Kaisen: Halmang'
Colour & Corks: Wine Tasting Workshop 'Women'
Event
Colour & Corks: Wine Tasting Workshop 'Women'
from
until
28
March
2024
18:00 - 20:00
Join wine writer Kelly Liang for a thought-provoking, interactive evening of wine tasting and storytelling exploring the theme of ‘Women’ through the lens of wine.
Director's Letter

Dear esea contemporary Community,

It is with great pleasure that we relaunch esea contemporary, previously known as the Centre for Chinese Contemporary Art (CFCCA), 36 years after its birth as an artist-initiated, community-oriented arts festival in Manchester.

Keep reading...
Contact