Xu Liyi

Biography

Xu Liyi has worked in the Cultural Exchange Office of Shanghai Museum since 2008. She has been in charge of outbound exhibitions to foreign countries. In this role she has been able to travel and see many museums as a courier. As a result, Xu Liyi is passionate about experiencing different cultures and engaging with people around the world. Her main responsibilities include assisting with selecting exhibits, drafting agreements, exhibition permission applications, installation, de-installation, and any other issues related with exhibitions. Xu Liyi is also actively involved in events held by Shanghai Museum including international forums, and symposiums. She gives guided tours to important guests, translates various documents and essays and acts as an interpreter for meetings and conferences.

While in the UK Xu Liyi was interested in learning how UK museums promote their collection and themselves, and how they select themes for special exhibitions. Xu Liyi hopes to use a small space in her museum for young curators to install experimental temporary exhibitions or displays and hopes to be inspired during her time on the ITP.

Since May 2019, she is now the Deputy Head of the Cultural Exchange Office, in charge of the international affairs and engagements of the museum.

At the British Museum
During her time on the International Training Programme Xu Liyi was based in the Department of Asia and spent her partner placement at Lincoln Museum and Nottingham University Museum.

In 2018 participants were asked to plan and propose a temporary exhibition, drawing on their existing museum experience and the skills learnt during the programme.  Xu Liyi worked with Rana Ramadan Mahmoud (Egypt) on her Object in focus project, Wayfinder: Journeys on the Ocean.

Xu Liyi’s place on the International Training Programme was generously supported by the American Friends of the Shanghai Museum and the Sino-British Fellowship Trust.