Adeena Mey

Dr. Adeena Mey is a Research Fellow and Editor at the Afterall Research Centre and Central Saint Martins, University of the Arts London. Her work bridges scholarship, curation, and editorial practice, focusing on contemporary art, exhibition history, and Global South art practices. She holds a PhD in Film History from the University of Lausanne (2018) and has held postdoctoral roles at ECAL/University of Art and Design Lausanne. Mey’s research emphasizes non-Western epistemologies, artists’ film/video, and transnational art discourses.

Education:

• PhD in Film History and Aesthetics, University of Lausanne (2011–2018)
• MA in Social Studies of Science and Technology, University of Lausanne (2000–2006)
• MA in Aural and Visual Cultures, Goldsmiths, University of London (2007–2008)

Research Interests:

Mey’s work explores intersections between contemporary art, exhibition practices, and decolonial frameworks. She examines artists from East/Southeast Asia, Africa, and the Middle East, emphasizing how non-Western epistemologies reshape global art discourse. Her curatorial projects include A Viewing Room (2021), Film Implosion (2018), and Neo Geography (2017), showcasing transnational art dialogues.

Grants and Awards:

• British Academy Grant: 'Art Writing and Publishing in Southeast Asia: Collectivity and Land Issues' (2025)
• Joanna Drew Travel Bursary (2022)
• Cheongju Art Studio Residency (2015)

Professional Activities: Mey has served as a jury member for the Jarman Award (2023), ARCOmadrid’s VIII Opening Award (2022), and curated panels at Art Basel Hong Kong (2023). She is a member of the Association for Art History and AICA–International Association of Art Critics.

Labs and Collaborations: Mey co-edits Afterall Journal, a platform for global contemporary art discourse. She leads the Writing Modern and Contemporary Art in Southeast Asia project, fostering transnational academic networks.