Open Call
Radical Characters is a platform dedicated to exploring speculative connections between design and culture within and beyond the Chinese and Chinese-American communities. We operate as a study group and curatorial project initiating projects focused on graphic design, typography, and culture through 汉字 Hanzi (Chinese characters). Our projects extend into the forms of exhibitions, publication, lectures, and workshops.
Our Team
Mary Y. Yang
FounderZhongkai Li
FounderVincent Liu
Design & Research AssistantShuang Luna Wu
Xinran Zhou
Editorial TeamDanielle Chang
Exhibition & Design AssistantAngie Ao, Jay Li, Angela Lian, Annette Liu, Yao Meng, Lucy Yan, Anni Qingyang Yu
Editorial TeamExhibitions
Embodied Making As Collective Publishing: The Body and Hanzi, C-U-B-E, Lamar Dodd School of Art, Univeresity of Georgia, 2024
Figure, Character, Sign, Radical Return, A Plus A Gallery, 2022
Radical Return, Boston University Art Galleries and IS A GALLERY, 2021
Selected Bibliography
“Embodied Making as Collective Publishing: The Body and Hanzi.” Slanted Magazine #44—Type Fashion. (October 2024)
“Radical Characters.” an imperfect index. Volume 1. (October 2024)
“Radical Return.” Design360° Do You Understand Chinese?. No. 103. (September 2023)
Communication Arts, Design Annual 63. (September/October 2022 issue)
Workshops
School of Musuem of Fine Arts at Tufts University, Embodied Making as Collective Publishing: The Body and Hanzi, 2024
Massachusetts College of Art and Design, Embodied Making as Collective Publishing: The Body and Hanzi, 2022
Boston Art Book Fair, Embodied Making as Collective Publishing: The Body and Hanzi, 2022
Lectures
“Collecting Graphic Design: The State of Affairs,” UCDA Design Education Summit, Arizona State University Polytechnic, 2024
“Building Collection Sites: Language, Culture, and, Publishing through Graphic Design,” University of Georgia, 2024
“Building Collection Sites: Language, Culture, and, Publishing through Graphic Design,” University of Georgia, 2024
“Multiple Slides, Multiple Slices: Radical Characters,” Multiple Formats Art Book Fair, 2024
Selected Awards & Press
Mass Cultural Council, Grant Recipient, 2022
Exhibition Review, The Type, Ryan Diaz, 2022
The Boston Globe, BU Art Galleries’ Radical Return selected as a Boston Globe Critic’s Pick, Cate McQuaid, 2021
WBUR News, 15 Art Exhibits Worth Exploring This Fall, Pamela Reynolds, 2021
The Daily Free Press, Exhibition at Stone Gallery features work from Chinese and Chinese-American graphic designers, Claire Zhang, 2021
Boston University News Service, A Radical Concept: The Project Behind Radical Return, Zoe Allen, 2021
Asia Art Archive, Radical Return, 2021