Source : River City Bangkok
The exhibition “Sometimes I Lost, Sometimes I Found” by Taiwanese artist Zito Hsu
River City Bangkok presents the highly anticipated solo exhibition "Sometimes I Lost, Sometimes I Found" by artist Zito Hsu. This exhibition will offer a deeply evocative exploration of loss, memory, and emotional resonance, evolving from the earlier project "Lost & Found LAB." during Zito’s residency at Tainan’s Soulangh Cultural Park in early 2024, transforms the personal and collective narratives of loss into compelling visual and interactive experiences.
Through a call for submissions in "Lost & Found LAB.", Zito received numerous poignant letters recounting not only everyday lost items like pens, umbrellas, and erasers but also intangible treasures such as lost time, freedom, friendships, and even the sense of pure joy from childhood. These stories reveal the enduring emotional connections tied to the things and moments we lose, highlighting how memories can transport us back to cherished times and awaken a spectrum of emotions. Zito Hsu’s "Sometimes I Lost, Sometimes I Found", thus, invites audiences to reflect on the multifaceted nature of loss and rediscovery.
Central to the exhibition is the idea that while some lost things may never return, the memories they evoke become integral parts of our identity. Zito captures these themes in a series of paintings inspired by the letters, translating the melancholic yet profound sentiments of loss into a vibrant and reflective artistic dialogue. Among these motifs, the recurring symbol of a cat’s milk tooth—rooted in Zito’s bond with her pet cat Choco—represents transformation and renewal. Just as these teeth are gifts marking growth, they symbolize how every loss can lead to a form of rediscovery.
The exhibition is divided into five thematic zones, each designed to immerse viewers in a journey of memory, connection, and introspection
Zone 1: Cat Milk Tooth Passage
Visitors enter through an acrylic passage adorned with seven unique forms symbolizing her cat’s milk teeth. These forms, drawn from Zito’s cherished memories, extend into expressions of pure emotions tied to lost objects—blessings and growth through the lens of change and nostalgia.
Zone 2: Cloud Memory Gate
Featuring reflections drawn from over 300 audience submissions, this installation distills collective feelings of loss into 12 evocative sentences. Detached from specific contexts, these phrases resonate uniquely with each viewer, fostering a shared yet deeply personal connection to the universal experience of loss.
Zone 3: The Blue House – LOST & FOUND LAB.
This zone embodies the concept of lost-and-found center as a memory "tree hollow," where viewers can submit their own stories of lost items. Through the research conducted by Lost & Found LAB., stories seem to distill the essence of people's deep-seated emotions and attachments.
Lit from within, the glowing blue house symbolizes the core of our inner memories and reminds us that even as we lose tangible things, the emotions and memories tied to them continue to illuminate our lives. These lingering imprints of what was lost remain deeply meaningful, becoming cherished treasures in a specific moment of time and space.
Zone 4: Walker
'Walker' is a series by Zito Hsu, launched during her 2017 New York residency. Inspired by pedestrians’ movements, Zito observed how wide pants, skirts, and coats create dynamic silhouettes. In this exhibition, 'Walker' transitions from two-dimensional art to three-dimensional wooden pieces, exploring modern social culture.
Zito expands from street impressions to the allure of social media, where avatars represent curated identities. Characters like the “Apple Person,” adorned with filters seeking affection, and the “Blanket Ghost,” symbolizing anonymity, highlight these dynamics.
With humor and subtlety, Zito invites viewers to explore the balance between self-expression and concealment, offering a thought-provoking look at hidden identities.
Zone 5: Audience Response Sharing
In the process of revealing personal stories of lost items, individuals discover both shared and unique memories with others, evoking deep emotional resonance within. Words left by others serve as a bridge, creating healing moments where visitors may see their own reflections or receive solace through the narratives of others.
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About the Artist
Zito Hsu, a graduate of Kingston University London’s Illustration program, is celebrated for her evocative use of color and symbolic language in exploring intricate emotional landscapes. Drawing inspiration from the delicate yet enduring elements of daily life, her works span mediums such as painting and ceramics.
Zito’s signature blue hues convey a spectrum of emotions, while recurring motifs like paper boats symbolize both the fragility and determination of journeys toward the unknown. Her characters often embody dual perspectives, serving as reflections of both the artist and the viewer.
Zito’s art seeks to balance subtle, fragmentary emotions that are often hard to articulate, offering her audience moments of solace and healing. Through "Sometimes I Lost, Sometimes I Found," she continues this mission, crafting a narrative-rich exhibition that speaks to the heart of what it means to lose, remember, and rediscover.
The exhibition “Sometimes I Lost, Sometimes I Found” by Zito Hsu is open for free viewing from 18 January - 23 February 2025 at RCB Galleria 2, 2nd floor, River City Bangkok. （Free Admission）
