Cauda equina 马尾 / 2024

Oil paint, stone, wood, resin, thread, mulberry paper, gold leaf, flowers, choral book covers

Key / 0.1 = 100 grams of rice

My grandfather 王富康 saved food ration tickets each week during the CCP’s 5-year Great Famine- he was a teenager at the time. By worsening his hunger, he preserved evidence of his experience for future generations. I accessed this archive after his death last winter. Each mulberry envelope holds 3-4 copies of these ration tickets, exchangeable for bags of rice at their time of issue; the installation invites everyone to take an envelope.

王富康 (1949-2023) was a farmer, ring merchant, scholar, traveller, language learner, and collector. And he could outmatch anyone drink for drink.

The piece is named after a visual phenomenon in anatomy: the collection of nerves at the end of the spinal cord is called the cauda equina because it looks a horse’s tail. It’s made as part of a small effort to honor the life and work of 王富康 and to aid his safe karmic delivery. Shown as part of 8209’ Intern Art Exhibition at @andersonranchartscenter.