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Exhibition, Interview

Interview with An Ye Zhi de Jong: "I want to find pride in being Chinese and in the Chinese-Dutch identity."

As a child of the one-child policy in her native country, recent visual artist graduate An Ye Zhi de Jong (Fenyi, China, 2001) reflects on the complexity of her bicultural identity. She won a Groningen Visual Arts Scholarship* in the Horizon category for her project, which explores the connection with her heritage.

"My work is about Chinese-Dutch identity and the role of adoption within it. The conversation about this typically focuses on the Dutch side, with misconceptions and shortsighted narratives. For example, adoption is seen as charity, with statements like "even if we only save one." This is derogatory because it ignores what adoptees experience: racism, stereotypes, assumptions about their origins, and the loss of their birth culture. You don't know where you come from, have no Chinese family, and don't speak the language.

By: Karlijn ter Horst
25 August 2025
"I want to explore whether I can reconnect."

The project for which I won the grant is about the story of the missing element. I want to rediscover that in China. What is it like to reconnect with the culture? Is it possible? Is it a good thing? Are people in China open to it, or not? I want to find the pride in being Chinese and in the Chinese-Dutch identity. In the Netherlands, that's precisely what makes you different. I want to explore whether I can reconnect. I'm also curious about how people in China view Adopted children like me. Because of the one-child policy, an entire generation of women has disappeared. Perhaps they see adoption as "better this way" and don't see our side of things. I think it would be wonderful to go to China, to see how such a conversation unfolds when you talk about your life.

This project gives me the opportunity to continue doing what I find important after graduation.

In April**, I'll be in China for two months to collect materials. My parents once lived there and have friends in the province next to where I'm from. That's where I'm staying. I've also signed up for a calligraphy course in Beijing to learn the language better. Calligraphy is a respected art form there, which is greatly admired in the West. This project gives me the opportunity to continue doing what I find important after graduating: contributing to open conversations about identity, racism, and equality through art. Hopefully, the next generation of Chinese-Dutch people will be less affected by this.

Until August 27, 2025, you can see An Ye Zhi's work at Galerie Noord, as part of the exhibition 'Strange Kin'. She will be at the gallery on Wednesday, August 27th, from 1-5 p.m.
ℹī¸đŸ‘‰  Galerie Noord | Strange Kin

In addition, An Ye Zhi will be participating in 'Kunst aan de Vaart' in Assen (location: Vaart ZZ 111) on the weekend of September 14th and 15th, 2025.
ℹī¸đŸ‘‰  An Ye Zhi de Jong - Kunstenaars - Kunst aan de Vaart Assen

* In addition to An Ye Zhi de Jong, artist Ietje Meerman also won a Groningen Visual Arts Stipends. She won in the Land category, which focuses on local projects. Her work explores the language of the Northern Netherlands landscape using film, sound, and (old) maps.

** This article previously appeared in KUNST. magazine #3 (p. 37) which was published on March 26th, 2025.
This project gives me the opportunity to continue doing what I find important after graduation.

✍ī¸ Karlijn ter Horst
📸 Jedidja Smalbil