Charwei Tsai
Ancient Desires, 2023
Ceramic offering vessels
Dimensions variable
Ancient Desires reflects on the world devastation caused by a deep feeling of dissatisfaction. As a tonic for this condition, Tsai has developed a daily practice of making vessels, which can hold offerings that contribute to the collective wellbeing.
Over the last few months, during a residency at Wysing Arts Centre in Cambridge and at the studio of Marie Saint Bris in Paris, Tsai made over 200 ceramic vessels. Visitors are invited to make an offering of their choice during the exhibition.
Ancient Desires will be on exhibit at “Making of New Worlds, Li Yuan-chia & Friends” opening this week from 11 November 2023 – 18 February 2024, at Kettle’s Yard and Jesus College of University of Cambridge in the UK.
The exhibition is co-curated by Hammad Nasar (Curator, Strategic advisor and Senior Research Fellow at the Paul Mellon Centre), Sarah Victoria Turner (Director of the Paul Mellon Centre) and Amy Tobin (Curator, contemporary programmes, Kettle’s Yard).
The project is commissioned by Kettle’s Yard and the Paul Mellon Centre for Studies in British Art during a residency at Wysing Art Centre with support from Taiwan Ministry of Culture, London.
Made with the support of Lawrence Epps and Isobel Meredith-Hardy from Wysing Art Centre, Cambridge and Marie Saint Bris in Paris.
Photos by Lucy Rose Shaftain-Fenner and Lawrence Epps
