WONG Sze Wai

Long Story Short is pleased to present Whisper in Stillness, a solo exhibition by Wong Sze Wai, on view from January 19 to February 18, 2024 at 54E Henry St, New York, NY, 10002. "Whisper in Stillness" is a captivating collection that delves into the fluidity of consciousness, navigating states such as the present and the past, reality and imagination, and time and space. Wong Sze Wai utilizes representations of abandoned places and historical objects to guide viewers on a journey of wandering and immersion. Viewers are invited to encounter a frozen moment from the past and immerse themselves in a serene world. The act of wandering between the present and the past becomes a catalyst for Wong Sze Wai's personal exploration of memories, both individual and collective, and an examination of cultural identity and connection with ancient times. This artistic endeavor delves into the interplay between different dimensions of time, space, and consciousness, encouraging viewers to reflect on their own experiences and connections with the past. Using ink, water-based color, color pigments, and clay on canvas, Wong Sze Wai focuses on the connection between memory and imagination. Incorporating various everyday objects found locally, such as blue and white tarpaulin, discarded fences, bricks, and plastic chairs, symbolic representations of human activities from the past and the passage of time. Influenced by ancient grottoes in Dunhuang, China and Western masters, Wong layers mineral pigments, clay, and other materials onto canvases, introducing textures that magnify the relationships of space and time in the artworks. This artistic process, incorporating everyday objects and diverse materials, aims to evoke a deeper exploration of the interplay between memory, imagination, space, and time. Wong Sze Wai, born in 1990 in Hong Kong, earned her Bachelor of Fine Arts in 2013 and Master of Fine Arts in 2020 from The Chinese University of Hong Kong. Furthering her studies, she went to Shangri-la in 2016 and completed an artist residency in Bulgaria in 2018. Wong has exhibited her work internationally, showcasing in Hong Kong, Italy, Amsterdam, and Bulgaria. Notable exhibitions include "Stone Stealer" (Contemporary by Angela Li), "The Missing Operator" (Art Central Solo Project, Contemporary by Angela Li, 2022), and "Celebrating 40 Years, Friends of Art Museum, CUHK" (Sotheby’s Hong Kong Gallery, 2021) and “Shining Moment” (TANG Art Foundation, Hong Kong, 2021) among others.