This sculpture made of bronze and nickel-plated steel draws inspiration from the 1980s body modification movement, which offered an alternative spiritual path through the transformation of the physical body, and...
This sculpture made of bronze and nickel-plated steel draws inspiration from the 1980s body modification movement, which offered an alternative spiritual path through the transformation of the physical body, and has represented a shelter to Mao’s marginalised status in society as a queer and Asian in America. The cast bronze cow's tongues serve as the central focal point inspiring this entire body of work within the exhibition. This visceral connection triggered by the pierced tongue takes on an extraordinary dimension through the sculptures' larger-than-life and unconventional presentation, igniting a series of bodily sensations, including repulsion, attraction, and abjection. These reactions emerge as viewers realise a shared connection with these body parts, rooted in our primal, animalistic nature. As we trace the line of transference, this realisation extends further, allowing the disembodied cow to transcend its literal form and symbolise not only any body but also mythical beings like lions and dragons.