Stories Beyond the Portrait, 2012 Mixed media installation 150 x 150 cm Face-reading or Physiognomy is the art of reading the mind’s construction in the face and body. It is known to the Chinese as xiang, the character for which, 相, consists of the pictures of a tree and an eye. The Shuowen jiezi 說文解å—, a character dictionary from the Han dynasty, defines it as “eye meets thing†or “to inspect.†(Kohn, 1996). In Stories Beyond the Portrait, I am interested in this physiognomic inspection or reading of the face and the profound relationship of humanity’s inquiry into the metaphysical dimensions of life. Using the concept of the 100 Year Map 百æ²åœ– in Chinese traditional practice of face-reading as a vehicle and narration tool, this project investigates into a person’s life based on evidences from old photographs, documents and belongings. I invite you to read beyond these portraits, into each individual’s memories, to learn and experience their unique stories and journeys. http://www.visualgarden.sg/mian_xiang.html
Hu Qiren (b. 1983) is a visual artist whose practice explores the myriad forms of image making, incorporating a wide range of media, including photography, video, installation and performance. Expressing a vibrant visual vocabulary inspired by his own identity and tradition, Qiren synthesizes cultural binaries, while incessantly challenging notions of authenticity, belief and value systems.
