This Is Me Looking Wen-You Cai

📸 Exhibition: This Is Me Looking

Artist: Wen-You Cai
Opening Reception: August 5, 5 - 8 PM
Exhibition Duration: August 5 - August 30, 2026
Location: Accent Sisters, 89 5th Ave #702, New York, NY 10002

In 1995, at just 5 years old, Wen-You Cai moved to New York City with her family from Japan. Her father, an artist, participated in the Asian Cultural Council's P.S.1 International Studio program. During this time, she was invited by Diana López to partake in a project called El Ojo de… (The Eye of), aimed at encouraging children from diverse backgrounds to capture their world through photography.

For three months in 1996, Wen-You documented her experiences in America, visiting cultural landmarks and capturing candid moments at home. This culminated in a personal journal of photographs and captions, initiated by Diana and later completed by Wen-You herself.

Following this formative experience, Wen-You continued her photographic journey, producing works such as Rooster, Tiger, Sheep by Snake (2019) and Minnan Exit (2024), showcasing her evolution as a photographer.

In a serendipitous meeting in 2025, Wen-You connected with Faride Mereb and Oriana Nuzzi of Letra Muerta, resulting in plans for a new photo book merging her recent work with previous captures from 1996.

This solo exhibition features 14 photo sets contrasting her contemporary images with those from her childhood, alongside a title page from her original album, highlighting the project’s origins. This endeavor reflects an ongoing dialogue between Wen-You and her younger self, reiterating the profound influence of Diana's project on her artistic journey.

Throughout her career, Wen-You has grappled with her identity as an artist. She authored When You Make No Art (2015) but this exhibition illuminates her unacknowledged creative endeavors over the years.

About Wen-You Cai

Wen-You Cai, an artist in New York, embodies a cross-cultural identity shaped by her Chinese heritage, Japanese birth, and upbringing in the U.S. She founded Special Special, a community platform, and published several works detailing her creative exploration. Her pieces have been displayed in notable venues and featured in numerous prestigious publications.

For more information, click here to RSVP for the opening reception.