Kai Syng Tan

Visiting Researcher, Artist in Residence, King's College London
Kai Syng Tan is an interdisciplinary artist, curator, researcher, shapeshifter and sightseer. She completed her PhD at the Slade School of Fine Art as a UCL scholar, and has taught in the practice, history and theory of fine art, media art, film and art education in higher institutions in Australia, Singapore, Tokyo and London.

Kai's installation, film, text and performances have appeared in 600 shows including the Biennale of Sydney and Tokyo Fashion Week at MOMA (New York), Royal Geographical Society, ZKM, and LADA Study Guide. Recognition includes San Francisco International Film Festival Golden Gate Award, and Artangle Open 100, and collections include the Museum of London and Fukuoka Art Museum.

Kai is currently a Visiting Researcher and the first Artist-In-Residence at the world-leading Social, Genetic and Developmental Psychiatry at the Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London. Mentored by the eminent Professor of Psychiatry Philip Asherson, she is working on an Unlimited commission entitled #MagicCarpet funded by Arts Council England, KCL and others.

The 1.5 year project weaves visual art and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) together to explore mind wandering and the boundaries between 'normality' and 'abnormality'. The multifaceted project includes workshops, and outputs include a publication, short films, badges, performances and a tapestry installation. #MagicCarpet has toured South London Gallery (in collaboration with Art Assassins, a collective for people aged 15-20), Southbank Centre (for 700 viewers), Nesta’s People Powered Future Health (for 500 health policy people), UK Adult ADHD Network Congress 2017 (for 400 researchers and professionals), the Arts in Mind Festival (covered on Resonance FM and South London newspaper and The Psychologist Journal, and including a workshop with a primary school) as well as the 5th European Network for Hyperkinetic Disorder International Conference in Edinburgh (for 500 psychiatrists).

In addition Kai is Director of RUN! RUN! RUN! International Body for Research and RUN! RUN! RUN! Biennale, and UKRI and Arts and Humanities Research Council Peer Review College member. She is Advisor to PsychART and Research Committee Member of the UK Adult ADHD Network.