Isaac Chong Wai (b. 1990) uses public and site-specific performances, video, installation, and photography as mediators to investigate contemporary global phenomena. His work transforms the tensions, intervention, and interactions of human bodies into a microcosm of human relationality in social systems; Chong’s performances often tread the line between the individual and the collective, conveying vulnerability in an individual and solidarity in a collective as means to reconcile with historical traumas. The artist seeks to decentralize the representation of power and suggest a criticality, as opposed to indifference, in the way that we respond to history and politics.
Chong’s recent solo exhibitions were shown at Museum Schloss Moyland, Moyland (2023); Una Boccata d’Arte, Fondazione Elpis, and Galleria Continua, Castiglione di Sicilia (2022); Zilberman Selected, Istanbul (2022); Bilsart, Istanbul (2021); Blindspot Gallery, Hong Kong (2019).
His works have also been featured in group exhibitions at Hamburger Bahnhof–Nationalgalerie der Gegenwart Museum, Berlin (2023); esea contemporary, Manchester (2023); Taikang Space, Beijing (2023); Tai Kwun Contemporary, Hong Kong (2022); Kindl Museum, Berlin (2022); Bundeskunsthalle Bonn, Bonn (2022); Neues Museum Staatliches Museum für Kunst und Design Nürnberg, Nürnberg (2022); National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art, Seoul (2020); IFFR International Film Festival Rotterdam, Rotterdam (2020); Museum of Contemporary Art, Taipei (2019), and M+, Hong Kong (2018), amongst others.
Chong currently lives and works between Berlin and Hong Kong.
