The Virtual World of Jiajing Emperor

The JiaJing Emperor is often regarded as a symbol of prosperity and transformation. The first half of his reign embodied wealth and power, while the latter half marked a profound shift toward spiritual reflection and the pursuit of the afterlife. This transition—from a focus on the material world to the metaphysical—is vividly reflected in the ceramic creations of his era, where evolving styles and symbolism captured the Emperor's changing beliefs and priorities.

This artwork examines these ceramic works, exploring their intricate forms and layered meanings to uncover the narrative of the JiaJing Emperor's life. By reconstructing this history through drawings inspired by the craftsmanship of countless nameless artisans of the time, the work seeks to illuminate the interplay between power and spirituality during one of the most captivating periods of Chinese history.

Commissioned by
Hong Kong Museum of Art

Location
10 Salisbury Rd, Tsim Sha Tsui, HK