Cosmescents Art Lab x Hsieh Jung-Wei: Projects

Presented by Cosmescents Art Lab in collaboration with YIRI ARTS, the second exhibition at Cosmescents LaLaport Taichung features Taiwanese artist Hsieh Jung-Wei’s unique interpretation of Iceland’s cultural and natural landscapes, titled Iceland.

Inspired by the subtle, nuanced light of East Asian aesthetics and a deep belief in the value of physical labor, Hsieh is known for using a ballpoint pen as a daily tool for documentation, likening himself to a farmer working on paper. His practice often incorporates water washes and ink techniques to create deeply textured, contemplative compositions.

In this exhibition, Hsieh presents a new series of works that reflect his memories of traveling through Iceland. As the artist describes:

"Iceland leaves a strong aftertaste. While I was there, its vastness felt natural and almost ordinary. But once I left, I realized how profoundly it had impacted me. The ease and comfort we take for granted are often only fully appreciated in their absence. Iceland’s aftertaste is just that—a delayed realization of its beauty and significance."

The works on display include sketches made during his travels through Iceland, as well as everyday objects from both Taiwan and Iceland. Hsieh transforms these materials into evocative cultural landscapes unique to his memories of the country: ropes woven from yarn purchased in Icelandic supermarkets, capturing the vivid colors of summer; fly repellents combined with silk veils to evoke the gusty winds sweeping over icy coastlines; and cleansing soap from the TEAORY, infused with tea extracts to symbolize the radiant rainbows that span Icelandic waterfalls. The translucent soap, interacting with light and shadow in the exhibition space, creates a dreamlike display of vibrant hues.

This exhibition invites viewers to immerse themselves in the artist’s deeply personal yet universally relatable reflections on Iceland’s landscapes and the quiet, often overlooked beauty of everyday life.