On first look, the sixty-four photographic works in CHINA: Then & Now – Jan Serr are about China. They depict the “Old Town” Hutong neighborhood streets, the restful Scholar’s Garden, and the ultra-contemporary world of Maglev bullet trains traveling 375 miles per hour. On second look, the exhibition is about the passing of time.

Mirroring these efforts represented in Serr’s subject matter, this exhibition employs large-scale installations to transport visitors from the modern streets of China (New World City) to its quaint historic neighborhoods (Old Town). As you walk through a full-sized Moon Gate, you will enter our “Humble Administrator’s Garden” adorned with meditative scholar’s stones and an ever-soothing water feature, designating a space for visitors to contemplate the vast to the personal.

While she has worked with countless cameras and many types of image-capturing systems, in China Serr chose to be a street photographer with a nimble digital hand-held Nikon. Her operating principle “See it, Shoot it, Be safe, Be gone.” Situating prints of her meticulously curated compositions within this immersive time-traveling exhibition, Serr asks what is remembered and what is forgotten, beckoning visitors to experience China through her. She states “What I saw in China, and how I saw it, is what you see here now. You are standing with me, looking though my camera, looking through my eyes.”

In addition to Serr’s photographs, the exhibition includes a painting of the Tiananmen Square massacre, as well as an original video illustrated by her. Other works includes two large figurative ceramics by Pamela Leung-never before exhibited in the U.S., hand-colored brass rubbings, and other Chinese objects.

Curated by Jan Serr & Kate Hawley

5 Spots to Check Out during Gallery Night and Day

OnMilwaukee, (01/21/2022) OnMilwaukee featured the Warehouse Art Museum as a recommended stop during the first Gallery Night of 2022.

Tai Chi classes, Chinese exhibit go hand in hand at Milwaukee's "The Warehouse"

CBS 58, (01/04/2022) A segment highlighting the T’ai Chi in the Museum event associated with the exhibition CHINA: Then & Now.

Explore China in This New Photography Exhibition

Milwaukee Magazine, (12/06/2021)

CHINA: Then & Now Photo Exhibition at The Warehouse

Milwaukee Ethnic News by Urban Anthropology, (Nov/Dec 2021) Milwaukee Ethnic News featured us with the lead article on our exhibition China: Then & Now - Jan Serr.

From Hutongs to Maglevs: Photo Exhibit Brings Rare Immersive Look at Chinese Culture to Milwaukee

Milwaukee Independent, (10/16/2021)

“Confucius & The World: China’s Greatest Teacher Speaks to Our Era”

Professor Professor LaFeur on CHINA: Then & Now - Jan Serr | 01/27/22 @ 4pm

Gallery Night & Day

CHINA: Then & Now - Jan Serr | 01/21-22/22 @ 5-8pm, 11-2pm

T’ai Chi in The Museum

T’ai Chi Chuan Center of Milwaukee at the Warehouse Art Museum | 01/06, 01/13 @ 4pm

Talk by Dr. Curtis Carter

Dr. Curtis Carter on CHINA: Then & Now | 12/02/2021 @ noon

Curator’s Tour w/ Urban MKE

CHINA: Then & Now - Jan Serr guided tour by Curator and Artist Jan Serr for Urban MKE | 11/23/2021 @ 5:30pm

Curator’s Tour w/ Coalition of Photographic Arts (COPA)

CHINA: Then & Now - Jan Serr guided tour by Curator and Artist Jan Serr for COPA | 11/18/2021 @ 5:30pm

Wednesday Lunch Hour Curator’s Tour

CHINA: Then & Now - Jan Serr guided tour by Curator and Artist Jan Serr | 01/19, 01/05, 12/22, 12/8, 11/24, 11/12, 10/27 @ noon