Exhibition - White Noise of Belonging: The Intimate Spaces of Female and Queer Overseas Chinese

Curated by QueerPatch and The Wishing Fountain Project

In collaboration with Dr Yanran Yao, Lau China Institute, King’s College London

Over a million Chinese students study abroad, making them the largest group of international students. As temporary diasporas, they stay connected to their hometowns while navigating new social, cultural, and political landscapes shaped by a turbulent global order.

"White Noise of Belonging" reflects their experiences of being caught between worlds. Co-curated by Chinese diaspora artist collectives QueerPatch and The Wishing Fountain Project, the exhibition showcases over thirty works by Chinese-speaking women and queer artists, who navigate the intersections of gender and migration.

Using poetry, photography, documentary, installation, and live performance, these artists depict the subtle yet pervasive “white noise” of their diasporic lives—the emotional undercurrents, memories of “home," and daily negotiations between cultures.

Held at The Exchange, Bush House, a vibrant student learning space, the exhibition offers visitors an inviting, relaxed environment to engage with the artworks, encouraging reflection and connection within campus life.

How to visit

Our opening dates and times:

3rd to 14th November, 09:00 to 17:00. Please note the exhibition is not open on 6th November.

Where to arrive:

For Monday to Friday, please arrive through Bush House NE entrance.

For Saturday and Sunday, please arrive through Bush House main entrance.

Entry is free but registration is required - please register using the link at the top right of this page. 

Special events:

Sunday, Nov 9 | 4–6 PM (enter from Bush House North entrance)

4:00–5:00 PM | Poetry Performance

By Riverstone (Yuying Song) | @riverriver_stone

An interactive poetry performance where audience members draw slips of verse, each sparking a live response of sound and movement.

5:00–6:00 PM | There, at Here

By Chen Yin | @chen_inny

A poetic movement piece tracing a journey from East to West. Through fluid gestures and threads stretched across space, it reflects on memory, migration, and the shifting idea of home.

Wednesday, Nov 12 | 7:30–9:00 PM

Join us for an exciting evening featuring a guided tour, a live performance, and a panel discussion with Queer Patch founder and curator Youliang and the exhibition's artist representatives.

Light refreshments and networking will follow the event.

Please register for these events using the link at the top right of this page.