CHENG YANG

Artist Statement

Throughout history, we have shared a millennia-long symbiotic relationship with incense trees and the practice of lighting incense. Roots symbolise the culture embedded in nature and the deep connection between humans and nature. Incense, though burned to ashes, falls to dust and returns to the earth, embodying the cycle of cultural renewal and rebirth. Incense is more than a burning substance, it represents the act of cultural preservation and transmission across generations, a process that is constantly evolving. Over the past year, I have explored various Hong Kong traditional festivals that involve incense rituals. This exhibition serves as an engaging approach to expressing and archiving the incense culture of Hong Kong in recent years. We discover Hong Kong’s uniqueness on the global cultural map by listening and observing. In adaptation and transformation, are we allowing tradition to drift further away, or are we finding new ways to bring it closer? Is the value of faith a guiding force within, or merely a means to fulfil personal desires? In this resonance between incense and incense culture, we may find our answer.

Cheng Yang

Curatorial Statement 

Incense holds deep significance across the aesthetic, historical, religious, and cultural dimensions of Chinese society. Since ancient times, incense has been an integral part of daily life, deeply embedded in customs and beliefs, serving as a medium for cultural transmission and emotional connection. The rising smoke, lingering fragrance, and falling ashes embody both material and symbolic expressions, bridging heaven and earth, the tangible and intangible. In traditional religious rituals, burning incense symbolises a connection between worshippers and deities, and reflects the community’s reverence for ancestors and prayers for peace. As the smoke rises, it materialises the invisible spiritual realm, while the scattered ashes, like roots extending through the earth, sustain the bond between individuals, communities, and their surroundings.

In Hong Kong, the Aquilaria sinensis (incense tree) is both a valuable material for incense and a symbol of the region’s natural and cultural heritage. Inspired by traditional Chinese philosophy, artist Cheng Yang captures inspiration from nature and everyday sounds, transforming incense culture into a multi-sensory experience. Her works combine sound, video, painting, and interactive installations, prompting audiences to reflect on the connections between environment, culture, and personal identity.

Using incense as a thread, the exhibition explores the ecological challenges and cultural traditions associated with incense-burning practices. It presents a series of works from Cheng’s PhD research, tracing the history of Hong Kong’s incense culture and highlighting the symbiotic relationship between humanity, nature, and both the material and spiritual realms. Simultaneously, the exhibition emphasises the conservation of Hong Kong’s incense trees, using art to raise awareness of incense culture and advocate for its evolution.

Zijing Song