Seven exceptional AGO volunteers received awards last month for their service. This week we learn a bit more about Betty Chen, Gallery Guide (5 year award).
How did you get started at the AGO?
About six years ago I came to the AGO with my boyfriend and I started to talk to him about some of the paintings. Other people eventually gathered around me because they confused me for a gallery guide! When I told then I’m not, some said – you should be! So I decided to apply for a gallery guide position that week!
How long have you been here? What roles have you played here?
I have been a Saturday PM gallery guide since Fall 2012. Currently I am lead guide for Saturday Week B, PM shift.
What is your background? What are your outside interests/other volunteer gigs?
My background is in architectural design and currently I specialize in institutional interior design. I also host an Art & Design web series called ARTiculations (http://youtube.com/c/articulations), and I have also presented a TED talk on community oriented art.
What is your favourite work in the gallery? (Or, what has been your favourite/ most memorable show?)
My most memorable show was Ai Weiwei – According to What? Many visitors told me they were very glad I could help them decipher Ai Weiwei’s Chinese word puns, as well as contextualize his works within Chinese history. I also participated in the live reading of “Remembrance” – where I, along with hundreds of other speakers of Chinese dialects, paid tribute to the victims of the 2008 Sichuan earthquakes by reading out the names of every known victim. It was the first and only time I cried during an exhibition.
What is your favourite moment at the gallery?
Basically, the answer to the previous question. =)
Congratulations Betty!