Introduction

Realism and fiction blur in the otherworldly realm that is In the Land Beyond Living, opening up new angles from which to contemplate contemporary society in China and the human condition at large. With elements of painting, sculpture, video, sound, installation, and set design, this solo exhibition by the artist Tao Hui takes us from north to south, the inland to the coast, the urban to the rural, the industrial to the natural.

In the Land Beyond Living, Tao Hui's first institutional solo exhibition in Hong Kong, highlights how the artist's absurd yet realistic artistic practice explores individual struggles. These include the ethnic minorities guarding the Gansu Corridor; migrant workers striving for a better life in drastically developing cities; and the nouveau riche yearning for spiritual sustenance. In seeking new ways to present and comprehend the complex realities of today, the artist interweaves depictions of harsh environments, migration flows, geographical disparities, and the relentless drive for a better life—into surrealistic imagery that casts new light onto the complex flow of reality.