Join us to welcome Dr. Vennes CHENG, Lecturer of the Division of Arts and Machine Creativity (AMC)!

With years of curatorial experience at M+, Hong Kong’s world-class museum of visual culture, Dr. Cheng brings a research-driven approach that connects art, archives, and contemporary practice. At AMC, she will explore how technology reshapes creativity and is eager to inspire students through courses that bridge art theories, curatorial studies, and the future of machine creativity.

Read on to explore how Dr. Cheng is reimagining the future of art and curatorial practice in the digital age.

-----

Could you tell us more about you? 

I have worked as an art curator for several years, beginning as an independent curator before joining M+, Asia’s first museum of visual culture, as Associate Curator, with a primary focus on the art of Hong Kong and Southeast Asia. I often describe my practice as research-based curating, viewing exhibitions as a methodology for generating new meaning and knowledge. This relates closely to one of my research interests: the art archive. I see art archives not merely as documentation of the artistic process, but as a portal to prompt contemplation and re-enactment. My main research areas include art archives, curatorial studies, and contemporary art.
 
I am always intrigued by the unknown and by new challenges. This is why AMC caught my attention, as machine creativity is an unavoidable topic and trend in the contemporary context. I am therefore delighted to have joined AMC, where I look forward to learning from my remarkable colleagues and to broadening my research and knowledge in contemporary art. After all, interdisciplinary approaches are now prevalent in contemporary art practice; artists no longer work in isolation in their studios but are motivated by present-day circumstances to seek collaboration with experts from other fields.
 
This belief underpins my decision to join AMC. In the Autumn Term 2025, I will be teaching the course Art Theories: Past and Future, which traces the evolution of perceptions of art and technology from ancient times to the present, and examines the shift from the active human agency in art to our current era of the non-human and digital. I am planning to offer courses on critical curatorial studies, which not only teach students practical skills in contemporary exhibitions making but also offer an alternative lens for them to explore a new way of curating. 

What inspired you to specialize in this line of research?
Humanity and inclusiveness.

What impact do you want your work to have on society?
I prefer to be practical— ‘impact on society’ may sound rather grand and rhetorical. My main concern is the younger generation. I would not claim to ‘make an impact’, but I hope to share my knowledge and experience with them, offering a way for them to reflect on what they want for themselves and their generation.

Do you have any advice for students interested in your research area?
Don’t be afraid to make mistakes, and don’t shy away from disagreements.

Could you share a fun fact about you?
I’m not sure if this counts as fun, but I LOVE siu mai, the classic Hong Kong snack. It has comforted me through many tough moments, so don’t be surprised if you spot me enjoying HFT siu mai on campus!