Matsu Mussels

作品賞析

Artist Hsu Meng-Han has long explored the unspeakable pain of life and remains deeply concerned with Taiwan. In 2020, she created the “Ours” series, a collection of memories of Taiwan. In Matsu Mussels, which depicts mussels placed in a hand-crafted cup, Hsu Meng-Han uses acrylic paint and pearlescent blending agents to layer the mussels in a semi-relief-like pattern. Sandpaper is then applied to highlight the delicate texture of the mussel shell and the plump orange and white flesh. The sky-blue background resembles both a tablecloth and an endless ocean. The byssus threads attached to the shells connect to the mussels’ hearts; if removed, the mussels die. This characteristic reminded her of the dwarf in Oscar Wilde’s short story, who dies of grief and heartbreak. However, unlike the dwarf’s despair, the salty seafood of Matsu, coupled with boundless imagination, evokes a sense of the beauty of life.