Flanking a bench with a sea view, two discreetly present statues provide company for those seeking moments of solitude. We see two mythical creatures, guardians who are usually placed at entrances to ward off disasters or evil. Here, they are positioned along the dune path’s seating area. This portal offers a shift in perspective, transporting the seated individual through the captivating sea view and sky. Drawing inspiration from mythical figures and deities in the Chinese-speaking world, these hybrid beings serve as protectors for waterways and coastal communities. The standing figure cradles a fox, a nod to the local legend of Mong de Vos, a beachcomber from De Haan.
In bringing this piece to life, Pei-Hsuan Wang sought guidance from the De Haan Heritage Society Tussen Noordee en Noordzee and local residents. The title, Al Met Der Tyd, refers to an inscription on a facade stone from a belle époque villa, one of the first in De Haan dating back to 1890. Today, the stone resides in the archives of the De Haan Heritage Society, serving as their logo. The phrase conveys the importance of allowing time to facilitate growth in life. Poetically, it also alludes to the cyclical rhythm of seaside living, as is the case for owners of family guesthouses: visitors come and go in waves with the passing seasons.
- Material: bronze, concrete base
- Dimensions statues: 47 x 47 x 70 cm (2x)
Artist: Pei-Hsuan Wang
°1987 in Hsinchu, Taiwan – lives and works in Ghent, Belgium
Pei-Hsuan Wang is born in Hsinchu, Taiwan, and lives and works in Ghent, Belgium.
Since the beginning of her artistic journey, Pei-Hsuan Wang has embarked on an exploration of her identity as an East Asian woman who’s been deeply influenced by various cultural expressions. Towards the conclusion of her teenage years, she went to the United States independently, subsequently making her way to Europe after completing her studies. That’s how, at a young age, she was quickly confronted with the uncertainties associated with the disparities brought about by diverse cultures and ideologies.
Using various media, including video, sculpture, drawings, and installations, she incorporates personal memories into her body of work, examining the vulnerabilities and contradictions that shape the formation of her identity. Pei-Hsuan Wang blends elements from East Asian fantasy stories and folklore with her family’s history, particularly the female lineage, such as her grandmother and niece. Deliberately, she seeks beauty while navigating between two geographical junctions, and demonstrates her kinship with mythical archetypes like magical guardians and hybrid creatures. Consequently, her sculptures and drawings are connected to figures found in temples, churches, or home altars, where animals and people are depicted with flames or wings, scales and claws, fruits and blossoms.
