13-02-2023 | Zadie Xa: House Gods, Animal Guides and Five Ways 2 Forgiveness at Whitechapel Gallery

On 10th February I visited Whitechapel Gallery to see an exhibition recommended to me by one of my peers. Unlike most of my gallery experiences, I had not read up on the exhibition prior to my visit - a detail I believe to have played a part in the genuine fascination I encountered viewing the work. An exploration of identity via the folktales and myths of her Korean heritage, Korean-Canadian artist, Zadie Xa achieved in one room, the voyage from this world to the next. Her installation incorporates fashion garments, representing deities; resin figurines of animal guides who accompany the deceased into the afterlife; and a large tent structure inspired by the traditional Korean home, or 'hanok'. Inside this central structure are paintings depicting more animal symbols and a significant journey expressed through visual storytelling, inspired by the anthology of short stories, 'Four Ways to Forgiveness' by Ursula K. Le Guin. I was particularly struck by the gallery text which read 'exploring how diasporic communities can become disjointed or alienated, and how reconciliation may be sought by acknowledging those who came before us.' To me this expresses the sentiment behind the work I am undertaking through my art making. I am using my family archive as a tool to reconcile the seemingly disparate parts of myself in order that I might understand both sides of my dual heritage. Xa's installation helped me to consider the representation of the home in terms of a space of protection and the identity of a family or community. In my own installation design I want make the home or dwelling a space for the oral histories of my family, and will draw upon the success of Xa's tent structure to move forward with my ideas.

1. Zadie Xa: House Gods, Animal Guides and Five Ways 2 Forgiveness, 20 September 2022 – 30 April 2023, Whitechapel Gallery, London

2. Le Guin, Ursula K, Four Ways to Forgiveness (New York: Harper Prism, 1995)

3. Exhibition images: Grandmother, 2022; Princess Bari, 2022; House, 2022; 4 the Women of Iodo, 2022; 4 the Women of Iodo (detail), 2022; Four Ways To Forgiveness, Ursual K Le Guin, 1995. All photographs by Amanni Hassan Hollands.