The Eighth Sea focuses on a particular decorative motif, sourced from archaic Chinese illustrations, and juxtaposes it against a depiction of nature. The decorative motif is a spectacularly convoluted representation of the natural, speaking volumes more about culture instead. This relationship is further complicated by using the dry substance of rice, a humble common staple, to convey a luxuriant and mythical body of water, and with its weight, to prop up the decorative motif.

Curated by Barbara Fischer for “Foodculture” exhibition, Art Lab, University of Western Ontario.