AAS Call for Proposals

Dear Colleagues,

I am Lu Zhang, an art historian. I am looking for a panel to participate in the upcoming AAS-in-Asia.

My working paper, titled  "Tropical Whites and Chinese Dresses: Cultural Cross-Dressing and the Performance of Belonging among Finnish Missionaries on Lushan, China" examines historical photographs of Finnish missionaries in early 20th-century Jiangxi Province to explore how their adoption of Chinese clothing functioned as a form of cultural cross-dressing-a performative strategy of self-assimilation, distinction, and epistemic positioning. By framing dress as a visual and material language, my paper considers how sartorial adaptation mediated cultural belonging and scholarly authority within transcultural networks in the treaty-port and missionary era.

My research may align with, but is not limited to, the following panel themes:

• Transcultural material culture, cross-dressing, and cultural identity
• Foreign presence in China during the treaty port era
• Missionary activities and intellectual exchange
• Hill stations and Western diasporas in Asia

If you are organizing a panel that might be a good fit-or if you'd like to discuss possible thematic connections-I would be delighted to hear from you. I am open to tailoring my presentation to align with a panel's focus.

I have participated in AAS-in-Asia for the past two years as a panel organizer/chair and presenter. Due to current work commitments, I am hoping to join as a panelist this year, should a suitable panel be available. Thank you for your understanding.

I appreciate your time and consideration, and I look forward to hearing from you.

Warm regards,
Dr. Lu Zhang