Through Fictional Self-Portraits, Tang Shuo Visualizes an Ancestral Archive
Long interested in his ancestry and familial connection to the land, Tang Shuo once again journeys to his home territory. Do stories and artists like this matter to you? Become a Colossal Member today and support independent arts publishing for as little as $7 per month. The article Through Fictional Self-Portraits, Tang Shuo Visualizes an Ancestral Archive appeared first on Colossal .
Tang Shuo, a child from southern China, once feared snakes, a childhood fear that resurfaces in his latest artwork. This fear manifests in Borrowed History, Tang's first solo exhibition in New York, where he confronts his ancestry through a series of imagined self-portraits. Born in Dashishan Village, Tang grew up farming the land with several generations of his family, living alongside snakes and other wildlife. Borrowed History is a visual exploration of Tang's heritage and familial connection to the land.
Working from photographs of himself, Tang envisions himself in various roles his ancestors might have held, such as "The Migrant" and "The Settler." Through magical realism, these paintings are adorned with lush forests and colorful skies, bridging eras and generations. The scenes, though fictional, serve a purpose beyond mere imagination; they aim to archive a world vanishing with time.
Tang's family once numbered over two hundred, now dwindled to a dozen. He intends to publish a book documenting the village's history, calling it his "own bible."
Borrowed History invites viewers to reflect on how heritage shapes our identity and understanding of our origins, all while preserving a disappearing world. Tang's work continues to be exhibited at Plato Gallery until November 7, with more of his creations available on Instagram.
Written by urgent.news from Colossal's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
