Referencing the 1582 eponymous alchemical text, Splendor Solis, the curatorial concept for the exhibition arises out of a series of illustrations in the text depicting the alchemical processes in glass flasks, which are used as a jumping off point for ruminations on how we observe and understand light, the conversion of matter — and, by extension, the equipment in a laboratory, the permeability of glass materials — as well as the allegorical paintings of alchemical processes and the border between sacred texts and practical documentation.
Splendor of the Sun, curated by Zoie Yung, on view from 5 January to 25 February 2023, takes these queries further in centering the birth of science observation, and the exploration of the portals within, and theatricality of, alchemy and science. The 12 participating artists offer contemporary interpretations on these alchemical processes, featuring: Leelee Chan, Kara Chin, Dave Chow, Katie Grinnan, Steph Huang, Ashlee Ip, Alessandro Keegan, Kong Chun Hei, Kong Lingnan, Cathy Lu, Joohye Moon, Doris Wong Wai Yin.
Steph Huang won the top prize of 2022 Taipei Arts Awards,
her installation is on view at the Taipei Fine Arts Museum.
Cathy Lu is the winner of the 2022 SECA Art Award,
her large-scale ceramics installation is on view at SFMOMA.
Galerie du Monde
Hong Kong, Central, Duddell St, 11號, Ruttonjee House, 108