UNC Asheville to Host Talks by Asian Performer Kristina Sheryl Wong

UNC Asheville will host two events by Asian performer Kristina Sheryl Wong as part of Asian and Pacific Islander Heritage Month. A solo performer, Wong has appeared on such television programs as “ER” and a series of Oscar Mayer commercials. She is a noted documentary filmmaker and serves as the Artistic Director of the Asian American Teen Theater Company. Events are free and open to the public.

Wong will discuss her performance work, films and writings at 6 p.m. Monday, April 18, in the Highsmith University Union Cafe. Wong will confront and challenge the popular connotations of words like “activism” and “feminism,” and redefine those terms through her art. She will demonstrate how revolution can be funny, effective and a part of daily life.

Wong will present a workshop entitled “Artists Who Subvert Culture” from 2-4 p.m. Tuesday, April 19, in UNC Asheville’s Highsmith University Union room 221. In her talk, Wong will discuss subcultures that have emerged within Asian America, and will question the idea that subculture is equivalent to stereotype. By exploring the markers of subculture, she will discuss how artists are subverting subculture to make daring statements on race and gender.

Wong’s appearance is sponsored by A.S.I.A., UNC Asheville’s Asian student organization, and the Multicultural Student Programs Office.

For more information, call UNC Asheville’s Multicultural Student Programs Office at 828/232-5110.

Media Contacts:

• Sarah Hinceman, Multicultural Student Programs Office Assistant, 828/232-5145
• Jill Yarnall, UNC Asheville Public Information Assistant Director, 828/251-6526