معرفی
Tristan Cai is an Associate Professor of Photography and Department Chair at St. Mary’s College of Maryland, where he has been tenured since 2022. He also holds the Steven Muller Distinguished Professor in the Arts appointment (2023-2026). His practice spans photography, installation, and research-based art projects.
Education:
- BFA (Honors), Nanyang Technological University, Singapore (2011)
- MFA, San Francisco Art Institute (2013)
Research Interests focus on the social construction of knowledge through photography, including:
- Interdisciplinary explorations of colonial history (e.g., The Aesthetics of Disappearance on enslaved Chinese Houseboys)
- Anti-Asian stereotypes via AI-generated imagery (The Innocents series)
- Critical analysis of faith-healing narratives (Tales of Moving Mountains)
- Climate change allegories (If The World is Pink)
Scientific & Artistic Awards include:
- Murphy and Cadogan Contemporary Art Award
- National Arts Council of Singapore grants
- 2021 Maryland State Arts Council's highest regional award
Advising & Grants highlight mentorship programs like Shuttle Speed (2021) supporting youth of color in St. Mary's County, and commissions such as the 2025 Sun Valley Museum of Art project on slavery narratives.
Labs & Collaborations include working with Kodner Lab (2024) studying algae blooms, and partnerships with institutions like DECK Singapore, Center for Creative Photography (Arizona), and Christie's.
