忘川 River of Oblivion
EVA glue sigils embroidered on organza chiffon, 2022
Installation view in the Gravediggers Hut at HIDDEN Rookwood, 2023
In Chinese numerology, 99 signifies eternity. When my grandfather became terminally ill, my family sought solace in studying Buddhist beliefs. This installation features 99 intricate sigils floating along white mesh, imitating souls passing through to the afterlife in an underworld river. The fluid symbols are distorted renditions of the 8 auspicious signs in Buddhism morphed with other symbols in my personal lexicon. This work chronicles learning and reconnecting with spirituality, as death can both divide and bring people together. This work was created collaboratively with my father.
Listen to an audio tour here 🎧
Winner of Rookwood Sculptures Award, 2023
“We were particularly taken with Celine Cheung’s contemplative work, River of Oblivion, and her considered reflections on ritual, family and culture. The location of the work inside the restored Grave Diggers Hut provided a quiet moment to observe Cheung’s 99 fluid sigils – based on Buddhist auspicious symbols – floating along white chiffon, like souls passing through to the afterlife in an underworld river.”
— Tian Zhang & Hannah Donnelly, judges.
Details, photos by HIDDEN Rookwood
Guiding Light & Endless Knot
EVA glue sigils on readymade lamp and ink on perspex, 2022
Exhibited at Rookwood Satellite exhibition, showcasing experiments, work-in-progress by HIDDEN Rookwood artists.
Installation view at HIDDEN Rookwood exhibition, 2023.
Photo courtesy of the artist.