Jiang Meng-Si (江孟禧)

Chinese. Name of a Taiwanese artist known for his innovative and thought-provoking sculptures. His work often explores themes of uncertainty, resilience, and the human condition through the use of natural materials such as wood and metal. His art is highly conceptual, blending traditional craftsmanship with contemporary themes. One of his notable works is Xingzhe Zhi Zhou (行者之舟), which translates to ‘Voyagers on a Vessel’. In this collection, he showcases contemporary wood carving art. A sculpture from this 2023 series, titled A Floating Skywalker, was displayed as part of the 2024 Asia-Pacific Contemporary Wood Sculpture Art Exhibition, held at River City (fig.) in Bangkok (fig.). The piece, crafted from camphor wood, is supported by a brass pin attached to a rock that serves as its pedestal. Measuring 23 × 39 × 11 cm, it blends natural and man-made materials to evoke a sense of movement and weightlessness. At the exhibition, its Thai title was Loi Long Hun Weha (ลอยล่องเหินเวหา), meaning Drifting Through the Air. This phrase suggests a dreamlike state of floating through ‘the vast sky’, which is the literal meaning of weha (เวหา) in Thai. The use of camphor wood, known for its rich grain and aromatic properties, combined with rocks and brass, hints at a balance between solidity and ethereality. Jiang Meng-Si’s work often explores themes of nature, transformation, and fleeting moments. This piece, in particular, symbolizes transcendence, freedom, and an imaginative journey beyond physical constraints. Through the sculpting of the human form within the constraints of limited wooden materials, the artist manifests the presence and emotions of a significant moment in life. Besides group exhibitions, Jiang Meng-Si has also held various solo exhibitions, such as The Nest Boy at YIRI Art Gallery in 2019, in Taipei, Taiwan. The artist's name is sometimes transcribed Jiang Mengxi. See also TRAVEL PICTURE, and WATCH VIDEO (1) and (2). 回