Isaac Chong Wai 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 solo exhibitions include “Post-Mythical Accidents” at Una Boccata d’Arte, Fondazione Elpis and Galleria Continua (Sicily, 2022); “If we keep crying, we will go blind” at Zilberman Gallery (Istanbul, 2022); “Leaderless” at Bilsart Gallery (Istanbul, 2021); “Is the World Your Friend?” at Blindspot Gallery (Hong Kong, 2019); “Future of the Past—Past of the Future” at Goethe Institute (Hong Kong, 2018); “Chapter B: An Artistic Archive of Borders” at Kunstraum München (Munich, 2018) and “Chapter A: The Rehearsal of the Futures” at Apartment der Kunst (Munich, 2018). In 2018, Chong was commissioned by M+ to produce the performance work “Rehearsal of the Futures: Police Training Exercises”. Chong has also participated in group exhibitions at Tai Kwun (Hong Kong, 2022); ifa-Galerie (Berlin, 2022); Kindl Museum (Berlin, 2022); Hamburger Kusnthalle (Hamburg, 2022); PF25, Atelier Mondial (Basel, 2022); 17th Contemporary Istanbul (Istanbul, 2022); European Festival for Performing Arts (Hildesheim, 2021); Asia Society Hong Kong Center (Hong Kong, 2020) ; Times Museum (Guangzhou, 2019); MOCA Taipei (Taipei, 2019); Times Art Center (Berlin, 2018); Stiftung Brandenburger Tor (Berlin, 2017) and Haus der Kulturen der Welt (Berlin, 2017).
Chong currently lives and works between Berlin and Hong Kong.
