In Kongkee’s ongoing series Dragon’s Delusion (2017-), historical figures find themselves in retro-futuristic universes where past and future are united. Although it is set in a technologically futuristic and dystopian universe inspired by Hong Kong, Dragon’s Delusion: Departure (2017) draws inspiration from the Warring States Era of Chinese history, a transformative period marked by intense warfare, technological development and philosophical innovation. The work reimagines the story of Qin Shi Huang, the first emperor of unified China, who sought in vain an elixir that would grant him eternal life. It presents a narrative in which Qin Shi Huang succeeds in gaining this elixir, returning to life as a cyborg and securing his hold on a tyranny that would last forever.
Accompanying the video work, Time Pause Became Mountain, Time Move Became Water (2023) shows a progression of hands in various colours illuminating each other, flowing one into the next in an eternal loop. The series Destination (2024–2025) consists of lightbox lenticular works that collide pop imagery, anime and animation, conjuring a sense of nostalgia and loss in the face of rapid historical and technological change.
ARTIST BIOGRAPHY
Kongkee, a.k.a. Kong Khong-chang (b. 1977, Sarawak), is a Chinese-born, Hong Kong-raised animation director and visual artist currently based between London and Hong Kong. His works adeptly fuse pop culture with historical references, and are committed to multidisciplinary collaborations, such as independent animation with visual arts. His solo exhibitions include Kongkee: Warring States Cyberpunk, Tai Kwun, Hong Kong (2023); Kongkee: Warring States Cyberpunk, Wrightwood 659, Chicago (2023); Kongkee: Warring States Cyberpunk, Asian Art Museum of San Francisco (2022). He was also included in the group exhibition Hong Kong: Here and Beyond, M+ Museum, Hong Kong (2021).
EXHIBITED WORKS
Kongkee (b. 1977)
Dragon’s Delusion: Departure, 2017
Directed by Kongkee, Tsui Ka-hei and Lee Kwok-wai
Single-channel digital animation, 16:9, colour, 8:01 min, stereo
Courtesy of the artist and Galerie du Monde
Kongkee (b. 1977)
Time Pause Became Mountain, Time Move Became Water, 2023
Neon
Variable dimensions
Commissioned by Tai Kwun Contemporary
Courtesy of the artist and Galerie du Monde
Kongkee (b. 1977)
Destination: Past, 2025
Destination: Now, 2024
Destination: Future, 2024
Lenticular lightboxes
92 × 65.5 × 5.5 cm
Courtesy of the artist and Galerie du Monde
