Overview
Flowers Gallery is delighted to participate in Art Basel Hong Kong 2021 with a solo presentation in the Insights sector of works by Hong Kong-based artist Movana Chen.
Chen's multidisciplinary practice is rooted in the exploration of communication across cultures. This presentation encompasses sculptures knitted from maps and dictionaries, drawings, and a participatory performance, creating an environment in which to connect and tell stories.
Works on display include an example of Chen's Body Containers, the wearable sculptures in which she often performs. The distinctive tubular shape of the sculpture is described by Chen as reflecting a manifestation of information in contemporary society. Created by the process of knitting fragmented maps from different countries acquired during her travels, they form a new communication code connecting people from around the world.
Alongside the sculpture will be Words of Heartbeats VI, a large hanging tapestry knitted from shredded dictionaries and maps using materials collected while travelling at the beginning of 2020. This work has been completed over the course of the year, and is assembled as a patchwork, where the seams and boundaries reflect divisions in today's society.
Chen's fascination with language can be seen in a series of new ink drawings on glass panels of her own Dongba symbols, a lexicon devised by the artist to communicate across borders. Chen also creates new systems of reading and communicating in her participatory work Travelling into Your Bookshelf, in which friends and acquaintances work together through the process of knitting, using shredded books given to the artist from new friends on her global journey.
Travelling into your Bookshelf will be an ongoing participatory performance throughout the duration of the fair. Movana Chen will be performing and working on the booth daily from 2-4pm, inviting visitors to engage in creating part of the work.
For visitor information and opening hours click here.
Running parallel to the physical show is Art Basel Live: Hong Kong, an interactive digital platform that includes online viewing rooms. Flowers Gallery's presentation features works by Michael Wolf and Boomoon.
