By: Elena Thornton
Exhibition: Prelude
Location: John Molloy Gallery
31/10/2024 – 8/11/2024
John Molloy Gallery in Upper East Side, Manhattan, New York, presented the exhibition “Prelude,” works by artist Judo Shan.
This is a series of ecological-themed works, including the interactive installation work ‘Ice Fish’ and multiple sculptures made of mixed materials. Its highly life-like and experimental installations create unique scenarios that bring a visceral sense of urgency to climate change and environmental pollution, inspiring audiences to reflect deeply on the relationship between humans and nature. Through the metaphors in the works, the artist discloses the multiple identities of human beings in the face of nature, that is, participants, destroyers, protectors, and symbionts.
The glaciers collapsed like mud into the sea.
The ocean surrounds the land but is dotted with particles.
Water flowed through the nets, but the harvest was disappointing.
Ice Fish, Cecheng Shan, Mixed Materials
In the artwork ‘Ice Fish,’ the artist created ice fishes with molds, purified water, and household waste in advance and then allowed the audience to place the ice fishes in a fishing net. After several hours, the ice fishes melt away, and water within the net vanishes, leaving only human-generated plastic waste behind. The audience collaborated with the artist through interaction to accomplish this installation work. The ramifications of global warming, overfishing, and marine pollution merely serve as the prelude to the earth’s ruination. The protection of nature and the ocean is exigent. The work was first shown to the public during the SVA bio-art residency’s open day, and the entire exhibition process was a time-based performance art presentation.
A series of sculptures crafted from mixed materials such as resin, household waste, and aquatic animals reflect the same ecological theme. The artist has a keen awareness of the connection between everyday details and climate change. She/He skillfully links the specific and minute details of daily life to grand narratives like rising sea levels, melting glaciers, and ocean pollution, incorporates household waste into their works, reveals the contradictory identity of humans who depend on nature but also destroy it, and expresses deep concern for the future of humanity.
Attending Prelude was a deeply moving and thought-provoking experience. Cecheng Shan’s ecological-themed works masterfully blend artistic innovation with urgent environmental commentary. The interactive installation Ice Fish was particularly impactful—watching the ice sculptures melt away, leaving behind plastic waste, felt like witnessing a poignant metaphor for the fragility of our planet. The audience’s participation added a layer of responsibility, reminding us of our role in both the destruction and potential protection of the environment.
The mixed-material sculptures further amplified this message, transforming everyday household waste into hauntingly beautiful pieces that reflect humanity’s contradictory relationship with nature. Each sculpture, meticulously crafted from discarded objects such as plastic bottles, metal scraps, and fabric remnants, serves as a poignant reminder of the environmental impact of human consumption. Shan’s ability to weave minute details of daily life into larger narratives of climate change was both poetic and sobering, drawing viewers into an intimate yet urgent dialogue about sustainability and responsibility. Through a delicate balance of artistry and advocacy, Shan invites the audience to reconsider their relationship with waste and the natural world. This exhibition not only showcases the artist’s talent and keen eye for detail but also offers a thoughtful and compelling perspective on environmental awareness, encouraging reflection and inspiring change.
Published by Tom W.
