Born Hong Kong, 1981
BA Philosophy, King’s College, London, 2001
Lives and work between Berlin, London and Hong Kong
By examining points of cross-cultural coalescences between Eastern and Western philosophical canons, Joseph Tong introduces visual narratives in which to debate, dissect and evaluate how these belief systems interrelate in a contemporary idealogical context. Furthermore, the artist explores the spheres of concurrence between specific theological principles and mythological dogmas by investigating their binaries and dichotomies within his oeuvre.
A visual linguist, Tong eschews the notion of a signature style. He challenges the notion of the passive viewer by inviting questions of medium and materiality through a multidisciplinary and experimental approach, which includes elements of oil and ink painting, photography, sculpture and site-specific installations. The materials utilised are equally as significant as the conceptual underpinnings of his works; as new perceptible interpretations are created by synthesising from a repertoire of highly aestheticised components such as: structured Plexiglas, aluminium, brass, dichroic film, wool and calligraphy paper throughout his practice.
By advancing a body of work with a dynamic visual vocabulary that, at times, blends digital treatments with analog craft, the artist confronts the nature of optical perception and the idea of hypothetical reality through experiential representation. Simultaneously, researching the potential of digital image manipulation processes in cross-media application and the development of new materialities.
SOLO EXHIBITIONS (Selected)
2023 Ex Materia - The Primacy of Being, Ora-Ora, Hong Kong
2019 Beyond the Oecumene, Galerie Isa, Mumbai
2018 Remembrance of Realms Past, Avalor, Zurich
Obscurae, IAM, Munich
2015 Spiegel im Spiegel, Woeske Gallery, Berlin
2014 Dreamscapes, HK ETO, Berlin
GROUP EXHIBITIONS (Selected)
2024 Art Basel Hong Kong, Ora-Ora, Hong Kong
2023 KIAF, Ora-Ora, Seoul
Art Basel Hong Kong, Ora-Ora, Hong Kong
2022 Behind the Great Wall of China - New Chinese and Brazilian Art, MAB (Museu de Arte Brasilia), Brasilia
Behind the Great Wall of China - New Chinese and Brazilian Art, Centro Cultural Correios, Rio de Janeiro
Behind the Great Wall of China - New Chinese and Brazilian Art, Curated by Cleinisson de Paula, Instituto CPFL, Campinas
2021 Friends of the Art Museum, Sotheby’s, Hong Kong
2018 Abu Dhabi Art, Galerie Isa, Abu Dhabi
Chaim Sheba + Lempertz auction, Schloss Bellevue, Berlin
India Art Fair, Galerie Isa, New Delhi
2017 Shaping Space, Galerie Isa, Mumbai
Im Augenblick, Galerie Valentien, Stuttgart
Art Karlsruhe, Galerie Valentien, Karlsruhe
2016 Art Central, O Gallery, Hong Kong
Summer Group Show, Greis & Schiefer Gallery, Frankfurt
2015 Looking Forward, Looking Backwards, Bernheimer Contemporary, Berlin
2014 Chaim Sheba + Christies auction, Schloss Bellevue, Berlin
2013 Chaim Sheba + Christies auction, Reichstagspräsidentenpalais, Berlin
PRIVATE & PUBLIC COLLECTIONS
Sammlung Wemhöner, Berlin, Germany
Sammlung Samwer, Munich, Germany
Swire Collection, London, United Kingdom
Arun Nayar Collection, London, United Kingdom
William Lim Collection, Hong Kong, China
Soho House, Hong Kong, China
Avalor Investments AG, Zurich, Switzerland
Estrel Hotel, Berlin, Germany