Project 37
Bird of Shape
- A Non-Solo of Ivy Ma, in association with Carol Chow, Man Mei To and June Wong
Curated by Jamsen Law
1st - 29th of March, opening on 1st of March, 7pm
Performance - Shape of Bird, 1st of March from 7pm
The 2024 edition of the Non-Solo exhibition series continues nProjekt’s mission to bridge Hong Kong's vibrant art scene with the global art community. Making its debut in Barcelona, Bird of Shape - A Non-Solo by Ivy Ma, in collaboration with Carol Chow, Man Mei To and June Wong, not only showcases a range of artworks, but also fosters meaningful dialogue across different cultural landscapes.
At the heart of the exhibition is Hong Kong-based artist Ivy Ma, whose artistic odyssey since July 2021 has spanned a number of global locations. Ma's journey, characterised by her snapshots of birds in different skies, transforms these fleeting moments into abstract expressions that challenge our perceptions of space and distance. Her work, which reflects our existence in the overlapping urban and natural environments, reveals an interesting relationship between universality and locality.
Photos courtesy of Wai Lok Cheung.
Accompanying Ivy Ma are three guest artists, also from Hong Kong, each bringing a distinct aesthetic to the exhibition. Carol Chow's photographic explorations delve into urban identity, creating a visual conversation that deepens Ma's artistic exploration. Man Mei To's sculptures offer a tactile experience that provokes introspection about the human condition, while June Wong's animations infuse the ordinary with extraordinary dynamism, adding a time-based dimension to the exhibition.
Bird of Shape is more than an exhibition of art; it is an intersection of artistic languages. This exhibition is a confluence of Ivy Ma's unique perspective and the thoughtful contributions of her fellow artists, culminating in a showcase that embodies the spirit of creative exploration and cross-media collaboration. As the inaugural event of the 2024 Non-Solo series, it highlights new discoveries within the global art narrative.
Artists
Ivy MA, King Chu is a Hong Kong-based artist working in drawing, painting, photography and mixed media installation.
She received her MA Degree of Feminist Theory and Practice in Visual Art from the University of Leeds in the UK in 2002, and her BA of Fine Arts (Painting) from the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology (RMIT) / The Art School, Arts Centre in 2001.
Ivy has had a number of solo exhibitions in Hong Kong. She was an Asian Cultural Council Fellow in 2007 and received the Hong Kong Contemporary Art Awards, Young Artist Award in 2012. Her series 'Numbers Standing Still' (2012) was collected by the Hong Kong Museum of Art in 2013. Another series, 'Last Year' (2015), was collected by the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art (SFMOMA) in 2020.
Carol Chow is an independent curator, researcher and image maker.
With a background in philosophy, communication and visual arts (specialising in photography), she is committed to producing photographic and curatorial work that critically examines social issues, identity politics and power dynamics.
Carol is currently a board member of the Hong Kong International Photography Festival and has received recognition for her curatorial work, including the emergent curator award for her debut curation.
Man Mei To is currently studying for an MFA (Sculpture) at the Slade School of Art, University College London.
She received her Bachelor of Arts from the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology University (RMIT) and Hong Kong Arts School in 2017, majoring in painting. She is the selected artist for the Tai Kwun Contemporary Artists' Studio Residency 2021.
Man has also participated in numerous local and international group exhibitions, including "Interlude" (Lewisham Arthouse, London, 2024), and "The 29th Asian International Art Exhibition" (Kyushu Geibun-kan, Fukuoka, Japan, 2021), among others.
June Wong is a Hong Kong-based visual artist whose work, rooted in moving images and drawings, explores city life and everyday experiences.
She transforms snippets of daily interactions, news, and ambient sounds into her art. June holds a BA in Fine Art (Painting) from Hong Kong Art School & RMIT University and a Bachelor of Nursing from The Hong Kong Polytechnic University.
Her accolades include the Alpine Fellowship Visual Art Prize (2022), Hong Kong Arthouse Film Festival's Best Underground Film (2022), and the Fresh Trend Art Award (2018).
Curator - Jamsen Law
Born and raised in Hong Kong, and having studied in the USA and Japan, Jamsen Law has a diverse background in theatre, media and visual arts.
Jamsen's art has been presented at festivals around the world, including Videobrasil, Transmediale Berlin and the Ogaki Biennale, with solo screenings in cities such as Toronto, Busan and Tokyo. He began curating at the Microwave International Media Arts Festival in 2002, and has since organised educational artist-in-residence programmes in Hong Kong.
In 2018, Jamsen founded nProjekt, which focuses on international exchange and site-specific projects. This initiative has successfully realised projects in numerous countries, including the Netherlands, Argentina, Australia and Japan.
