Living on the narrow, ocean-surrounded island of Taiwan, environmental change is an unavoidable part of daily life. From seasonal typhoons to shifting tectonic plates, the land is never truly stable. Jiang Meng-Si sees the world as a vast vessel, constantly swaying and trembling on the sea, with each of us as travelers aboard, navigating alongside our surroundings.
Since his 2019 solo exhibition The Nest Boy, the concept of "voyaging" has become a recurring theme in Jiang's work. Each piece he creates feels like a mental journey, and this exhibition reflects his interpretation of that ongoing voyage. Through these works, Jiang explores the psychological state of people in transit and examines how individuals maintain balance and move forward amidst a constantly changing environment.
In his sculptures, Jiang uses inverted and unstable structures to express the human struggle for survival in uncertainty. He presents a philosophical approach to living with change, suggesting that one must build a vessel for the soul that can continue its journey through instability.
The works are anchored by swaying and rotating forms, using their own weight and gravity to create natural movement. This motion adds a playful visual element while revealing the fragile balance between stability and instability. As the movement slows and eventually stops, the sculptures' visual language deepens, inviting viewers to engage with the works and explore the philosophical ideas they evoke.
In this era of constant flux, turbulence seems to be a shared future. Yet, Jiang suggests that maintaining sharp awareness and thoughtful reflection while voyaging through change is crucial. This is the spirit of Voyagers on a Vessel—continuing forward through an ever-shifting journey.