Search Cairns Art Gallery
Charwei Tsai, Lanyu - Three Stories 2012, three channel video, 4:00 mins. Courtesy of the artist and Tsering Tashi Gyalthang.
Lav Diaz, The day before the end 2016, 17:00 mins. Courtesy of the artist
Yang Yongliang, Mountains of Crowds 2016, single channel video, 7:57 mins. Courtesy of the artist
Land and People presents new media works by six contemporary artists from the Asia Pacific region whose works explore relationships between nature and people and the impact of natural and man-made disasters on their lives.
Philippine artist Lav Diaz, explores the impact of global warming on environmental changes in the Philippines, while Song Dong looks at complex issues that underpin China’s endless urban sprawl.
For Korean artist Kira Kim, the infamous suicide bridges of Korea are a chilling metaphor for the casualties of a country’s successful modernisation, and a film by Yang Yongliang portrays the imprisoning effect of urban development, referencing the intricate style of Song Dynasty landscape painting.
More contemplative works by Thai artist Sudsiri Pui-Ock, and Taiwanese artist Charwei Tsai, delve deeply into the complex relationships between nature, ritual and spirituality, based on their respective cultures, histories and personal experiences.
Land and People invites viewers to share an understanding of local and global issues, highlighting the contrast between urban developments and stagnation of the countryside, the difficulties of adjusting to modern society, and maintaining the traditional Asian belief of land as a life source.
Charwei Tsai Taiwan
Kira Kim Korean
Lav Diaz Phillippines
Song Dong China
Sudsiri Pui-Ock Thailand
Yang Yongliang China
Image: Kira Kim, On the Bridge (still), single channel video, sound 2:26 mins. Courtesy of the artist.
