Kari Marboe took on the role of an artist and detective, flattening as many data points as possible around the history of people, objects, and experiences to create new narratives that intertwine with our present moment. Through ceramic sculptures, clay printed onto watercolor paper, archival images, and site-specific elements, she uncovered hidden connections between the past and present.

In the spirit of Kari’s investigative and deeply collaborative approach, artist Cathy Lu engages with traditional Chinese art objects and symbols to challenge assumptions about Asian American identity and cultural authenticity. Through ceramic-based sculptures and large-scale installations, Cathy explores what it means to be both Asian and American—while not being fully accepted as either. Her work unpacks the intersections of immigration, cultural hybridity, and assimilation, questioning how these experiences shape the larger American narrative.

Join us for this special artist talk, honoring Kari Marboe’s legacy of curiosity, creative inquiry, and storytelling through material.

Please consider joining Kari’s family and friends in supporting the Kari Marboe Endowed Lectureship at California College of the Arts. This annual lectureship will honor, in perpetuity, her commitment to creative collaboration and exploring themes of our common humanity.

Cathy Lu lives and works in Richmond, CA.

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