Sophia Cai is a multifaceted curator, knitter, and writer based in Naarm/Melbourne, Australia, where she's currently Artistic Director at Bus Projects, one of the country's most venerable artist-run initiatives. Cai's professional life is a vibrant tapestry of curatorial excellence and critical writing. Her contributions extend to academia as well, having imparted her knowledge and insights at both the Victorian College of Arts and Monash Art Design & Architecture.
In addition to her role at Bus Projects, Cai has quite the respected voice in the art world, with her writing featured in national and international outlets such as The Guardian, Artforum, and Art Guide Australia. Her latest literary endeavour, Clayful, is her first-ever book published just this year. Showcasing some of the world's tiniest ceramics, that are beautiful just as they are practical.
Cai's personal interests reflect the same eclecticism as her professional pursuits. Her early fondness for Jo March from Little Women highlighted her deep connection to fictional characters. This affinity is further exemplified by her extensive collection of Japanese shojo manga from her formative years, which underscores her long-standing passion for nuanced storytelling and art. Today, she continues to seek out novels like Almond by Sohn Won-pyung and My Year of Rest and Relaxation by Ottessa Moshfegh, which offer unique perspectives on life and delve into the complexities of human emotions.
Below, we speak with Sophia Cai on her current bedside book picks and literary characters that have left a lasting impact on her creative life.
The last book I read …
Cursed Bunny by Bora Chung
On my bedside table: I am currently reading …
I always have a number of books on the go; at present it is Your Utopia by Bora Chung, Peripathetic: Notes on (un)belonging by Cher Tan, Bangtan Remixed: A Critical BTS Reader published by Duke University Press (I have a chapter inside!) and A Brief History of Australian Terror by Bobuq Sayed.
My favourite book of all time …
It is impossible to pick a favourite, but some books I’ve enjoyed recently are In The Dream House by Carmen Maria Machado, Sour by Jenny Zhang, My Year of Rest and Relaxation by Ottessa Moshfegh, Minor Feelings by Cathy Park Hong, and Almond by Sohn Won-pyung – which made me ugly-cry in public.
The literary character I most identify with is …
Growing up, I always identified with Jo March from Little Women. I’m not sure who I identify with right now.
The book that changed my life is …
Difficult Women by Roxane Gay
The best book I ever received is…
It’s not yet published, but the upcoming book Poor Artists by The White Pube is something I am very much looking forward to receiving in the mail.
The book I would give as a gift is …
Utopia for Realists by Rutger Bregman and/or All About Love by bell hooks.
Growing up, the best book on my bookshelf was …
My collection of Japanese shojo manga, including Sailor Moon by Naoko Takeuchi, Mars by Fuyumi Soryo and Paradise Kiss by Ai Yazawa (in fact, anything by Ai Yazawa).
The Australian writer I admire the most is….
There are so many amazing voices in Australian writing. One writer whose works I’ve devoured from start to finish is Julie Koh. Her short stories are incredible.
My favourite living author is …
Rebecca Solnit.
A book everyone should read at least once is…
Ways of Seeing by John Berger.
