Within her artistic practice Charwei Tsai (Taipei, Taiwan, 1980) reflects on political, social and ecological issues such as forced migrations, incarceration and the phenomena of climate change and environmental degradation combining calligraphy, painting, photography, performance and video art. Through her work she lends her voice to marginalized communities, advocating for social equality and focusing her reflection around the concept of spirituality and the ritual practices around the globe.
Charwei Tsai took part to the residency project at MAO in 2024/2025 with the project Ancient Desires (Offering Vessels). This work involved the installation of 100 offering vessels, produced by the artist between Taipei, Paris and Turin and located on a 10 meters basement within the museum’s gardens. The vessels, made using a sofisticated pottery technique, were then decorated by hand with prayer inscriptions. Mixing ritual and artistic tradition, the work encourages the active and performative participation of the visitors, who are asked to leave small offerings in the vases. Transcending cultural and religious distinctions, the installation is intended as an incentive to share moments of offering, gratitude and request.
A set of 24 unique vessels have remained at MAO as part of the permanent collection.
In connection with her residency project, Charwei Tsai has also presented two other works in dialogue with MAO’s collections, specifically objects from the Himalayan galleries. The first work, Songs of Chuchepati Camp (2017) documents the deplorable conditions in the camp for earthquake survivors in Chuchepati, Nepal. The second, a drawing from the Sky Dancers series, pays homage to the five dancers and represents female energy in the tantric tradition.
The project had been carried out with support and collaboration from he Ministry of the Republic of China (Taiwan) and the Representative Office of Taipei in Italy.
