Growing up in the United States and Europe, and currently living and working in China, Etsu Egami experienced various communication barriers she encountered as a result of her cross-cultural residence. She felt that languages can “only be sensed, not explained”, thus becoming more interested in the discipline of language and communication. Etsu’s works are comprised of various mediums, such as voice, video, and drawings, through which she strives to question human instincts and the authenticity of communication. Estu’s perceptive contemporary pieces have led her to receive high praise from the art sector. Curator of Pompidou art centre Julie Jones describes Egami as an artist who “sees all these specificities as a source, not only of misunderstanding but also of creation and richness in people’s relationships.” Chinese curator Feng Bo Yi also summarized Etsu’s creation as being “about the concept and the significance of ‘communication’. Through the paintings and videos which embody these mishearing games, as well as the evolution of times, the clashes between civilisations, we acquire a discourse on the barriers in language communications, and subsequently even trigger a crisis.”

Gallery address: 20/F, Landmark South, 39 Yip Kan Street, Wong Chuk Hang