Theresa Hak Kyung Cha: A Retrospective at Berkeley Art Museum

The Berkeley Art Museum is currently hosting a major retrospective titled _Theresa Hak Kyung Cha: Multiple Offerings_, which seeks to highlight the multifaceted contributions of the late avant-garde artist Theresa Hak Kyung Cha. Known primarily for her 1982 book _Dictée_, Cha's work transcends traditional boundaries, incorporating elements of autobiography, biography, and ethnography. Curator Victoria Sung emphasizes the exhibition's goal to "decenter Dictée," showcasing Cha's broader artistic journey from the early 1970s until her tragic death in 1982.

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Born in South Korea in 1951, Cha immigrated to the United States at age 12, eventually studying at UC Berkeley where she became a prominent figure in the avant-garde art scene. The exhibition includes early works such as her pottery and the video piece _Mouth to Mouth_, which explores the relationship between language and meaning—a recurring theme in her oeuvre. Sung notes that Cha's experience of learning English later in life allowed her to engage with language in a unique and reflective manner.

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_Multiple Offerings_ features a diverse array of Cha's works, including films and video installations like _Permutations_ and _Exilée_. The exhibition also includes artistic responses to Cha's legacy, such as _Now Pretend_ by L Franklin Gilliam, which examines identity and race, and _Rain Dreamed by Sound_ by Cecilia Vicuña, a sound installation that reflects on violence against women and Cha's own murder. Sung highlights Cha's significant impact on contemporary artists, stating, "It’s quite rare for an artist to have such a large impact on so many different younger generations."

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The exhibition also underscores the supportive environment of the Bay Area's art scene, which Cha was part of during her time at UC Berkeley. Sung describes the arts practice department as open and encouraging, allowing students like Cha to use the campus as a creative studio. This collaborative spirit is reflected in the exhibition, which aims to inspire audiences to embrace the boundaries of artistic expression.

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Victoria Sung articulated the exhibition's intent, saying, "I wanted to dissolve the boundaries as much as I could because she’s not an artist who thought in that way." This sentiment captures the essence of Cha's work, which challenges conventional definitions of art and encourages a more expansive understanding of creativity.

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• “She was engaging with the diaspora in a really interesting way that many artists weren’t at the time,” — Victoria Sung, Curator

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• “I was just about to meet her when she was murdered. / I was just a few blocks away, with other Heresies women, but her cry didn’t reach us. / We couldn’t hear the cry coming from the soul of all raped women. / The cry that was becoming a wave, a wave of sorrow asking us to stop / the next crime.” — Cecilia Vicuña, Artist

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• “It’s very clear that from a very early stage she was very serious as an artist,” — Victoria Sung, Curator

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_Theresa Hak Kyung Cha: Multiple Offerings_ not only commemorates Cha's artistic legacy but also serves as a reminder of the ongoing relevance of her work in contemporary discussions about identity, language, and cultural heritage. The exhibition runs through April 19 at the Berkeley Art Museum, inviting audiences to explore the profound impact of Cha's contributions to the art world.

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