PhD Sociology (in progress): University of York
MA Museum Studies: Newcastle University
MA Fine Art Studies: University of Xiamen
Dawei graduated from Xiamen University in September of 2010 with a Distinction degree in Fine Art Studies. During his three years of study within the field of contemporary art theory and practice, Dawei has gradually noticed and become interested in the vital role that curators can play between the contemporary art works/artists and visitors from different social or cultural backgrounds. This was why Dawei sought to take
a curatorial course at Newcastle University and begin his PhD research at the University of Manchester.
Dawei’s research focuses on visitors’ receptions and reactions towards contemporary art exhibitions and curatorial practices. The research will explore the way art museums in Britain and China legitimize and represent works of art and how these interpretive methods affect visitors’ perceptions toward art exhibitions and art museums. More specifically, what exhibition participants learn from art museums and how do they
describe the relationship between themselves and art/ culture?
The project is jointly supervised by Professor Sharon Macdonald and Dr. Laurie Hanquinet at the University of York.