Karen Leong

Karen Leong is a Hong Kong-born writer, journalist and critic. Drawn to reclamation and desire, her body of work operates as semiotic storytellers across art, film and fashion. Alongside her written practice, Karen works across performance and media in bridging the juncture between film and text. You can find more of her work on Vice Asia, Astrophe Magazine, Leste Magazine, and @karen.gif.

Karen Leong's Latest Articles

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Exhibition review: Akil Ahamat: Extinguishing Hope, University of Technology Sydney Gallery

The artist examines pathways to mitigate the spectre of disaster.

Karen Leong

Feb 26, 2025
Two panels. On the left is author Jacquie Pham, who has long black hair and wearing a white shirt and standing in a doorway. On the right is the cover of her book, 'Those Opulent Days', which feature a man in silhouette. Golden pieces of paper are showered over him.
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Book review: Those Opulent Days, Jacquie Pham

A crime thriller set in 1920s Vietnam.

Karen Leong

Jan 30, 2025
Four dancers of Destructive Steps Dance Association wearing black. They are all Asian and have their hands in the air. The photo is taken through a fish-eye lens.
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Dance review: Intersections: Street Dance X Theatre, Riverside Theatres

A double bill of female-led street dance.

Karen Leong

Dec 4, 2024
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Dance review: Dance Clan, Studio Theatre at Bangarra

Different choreographers come together to present a showcase for Bangarra Dance Theatre.

Karen Leong

Dec 4, 2024
A scene from the STC season of 'Golden Blood'. Photo: Prudence Upton. Two Asian-Australian actors, a young woman and a young man, kneel on an orange-lot stage.
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Theatre review: Golden Blood, Wharf Theatre

Sydney Theatre Company presents Merlynn Tong's acclaimed Griffin Theatre production.

Karen Leong

Oct 31, 2024
Artwork by Khaled Sabsabi hang from the ceilings. There is a video still on the left.
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Exhibition review: Khaled Sabsabi, The Lock-Up

A significant survey of works from the renowned Lebanese Australian artist.

Karen Leong

Sep 25, 2024
Two panels. On left is a photo of an Asian woman with a blonde streak in her black hair. She is in dark clothing near a fence. On the right is the cover of the book with 'Peripathetic' in black font. The image is a distorted test pattern.
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Book review: Peripathetic, Cher Tan

A debut collection of essays that track unbelonging and displacement.

Karen Leong

Jul 25, 2024
Wild Dogs Under My Skirt. Image is a group of Samoan women on a stage sitting on chairs in a semi circle and holding their fists together in front of them. In the middle stands another woman in a grey dress raising her arms triumphantly. The camera is at the back of the audience so some silhouetted heads are in the foreground.
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Performance review: Wild Dogs Under My Skirt, Riverside Theatres

Poetry-based work about being a Samoan woman performed by a multi-skilled ensemble.

Karen Leong

Apr 29, 2024
Peter Cat Recording Co. Photo: Supplied. A five-person band from New Delhi. A group photo where the members are sitting, standing or hanging upside down.
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Performance reviews: Smashed: The Nightcap, The Chosen Haram and Peter Cat Recording Co., Sydney Festival

A smorgasbord of cabaret, theatre and live music at the Sydney Festival.

Karen Leong

Jan 31, 2024
Installation view of ‘Telly Tuita: Tongpop’s Great Expectations’ at Campbelltown Arts Centre. Photo: Jodie Barker. Installation and photography works inside a spacious gallery with sky blue walls.
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Self-representation and cultural references in the work of Telly Tuita

Telly Tuita’s solo exhibition signifies a full-circle moment.

Karen Leong

Jan 31, 2024
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