Distant Help

TSENG Shang-Jie was born in Kaohsiung, Taiwan, 1991. He got master's degree in Department of Sculpture, National Taiwan University of Arts. Currently lives and works in Taipei. TSENG Shang-Jie specializes in wood carving. He does not pursue the precise reproduction of the form but tends to reinterpret the spiritual feeling. The artist believes that looking at his three-dimensional works from the perspective of painting can be better expressing his inner perception of the world. The randomness generated by the color of the paint covering the knife marks, as well as the ambiguity of coloring and then engraving, both echoing the artist's cognition of the "subtraction" of sculpture is also an exploration between reality and nihility. From the past creations, TSENG has always had a strong interest in “the inner of human”. Whether it is to visualize the subconscious or to express the spirit directly through the human posture, it all about to convey the state of mutual dependence between consciousness and subconsciousness. What derived from it is, how to achieve "balance" in this state. TSENG is inspired by the daily surroundings and has established his own style especially for portraying humanity. For instance, the torsos of human are lengthened, and their skin are left unpolished with wood’s natural rough texture. They appear to be calm and low-key with multiple layers of colors, which represent the mental status of the young generation. He tends to distantly watch the constant change of life. TSENG’s artworks have a sense of plain beauty. Compared to other fancy artworks, they are much natural so that viewers can stare longer. “Blue Line Swinger” series was exhibited at the artist’s solo exhibition “Trowel” in 2019. When he commuted on the MRT Blue Line during his military service period, he observed the impression of the crowd in the city. Regardless of the character's clothing, expression, or even the current walking posture, he sketched it with a pencil and paper, and then carved it on his sculptures. Afterward TSENG changes the title of this series as “Swinger”, extends the people he described in every corner of the city. The people in motion seem to walk with a certain swinging rhythm. The overall look of the artwork shows a sense of loneliness and alienation, pointing out the souls of the people nowadays. TSENG Shang-Jie’s Curriculum Vitae Born in 1991, Kaohsiung, Taiwan Graduated from the National Taiwan University of the Arts Department of Sculpture, master’s degree in 2016 Solo Exhibition 2024 “Wanping” Dynasty Gallery, Taipei 2021 “Hunter” Dynasty Gallery, Taipei 2019 “Trowel” Dynasty Gallery, Taipei 2018 “Down the Hill, Before Darkness” 44 Art Gallery, Taipei 2015 “Inseparable” National Taiwan University of the Arts Department of Sculpture Experimental Exhibition, New Taipei 2015 “Mind Imagery” Lih Pao Cultural & Art Foundation, TSAIYUN GALLERY, Taipei Group Exhibition (selected) 2025 “ONE ART Taipei” Hotel Metropolitan Premier Taipei, Taipei 2025 “The Path of Crystallization” Paujer Tanmei Gallery, Taipei 2024 “ONE ART Taipei” Hotel Metropolitan Premier Taipei, Taipei 2023 “ART TAIPEI” World Trade Center 1, Taipei 2023 “Taiwan-Japan Exchange Exhibition” ART LAB A.S.K./ Sakuragi Fine Arts, Tokyo 2023 ”Miya Onsen Art Project” Aichi 2023 “ONE ART Taipei” Hotel Metropolitan Premier Taipei, Taipei 2022 “ART TAIPEI” World Trade Center 1, Taipei 2022 “its” EQUAL, Taipei 2022 “TAIWAN ̇JAPAN Sculpture Exhibition” Moon Gallery, Taichung 2021 “Art Kaohsiung” City Suites, Kaohsiung 2021 “ART TAIPEI” World Trade Center 1, Taipei 2021 "Siang-Sculpture Exhibition" Tianmu SOGO Department Stores, Taipei 2021 "Chanpuru ─ Okinawa ̇Taiwan Modern Art Exhibition" CAMP TALGANIE artistic farm, Okinawa 2021 “ONE ART Taipei” The Sherwood Taipei, Taipei 2020 “Salvage” Garyhu Gallery, Kaohsiung 2020 “ART TAIPEI” World Trade Center 1, Taipei 2020 “Japan-Taipei Exchange Show” Sakuragi Fine Arts & Art Lab TOKYO/AKIBA, Tokyo 2020 “ONE ART Taipei” The Sherwood Taipei, Taipei 2019 “New Kuroshio: Okinawa & Taiwan Contemporary Art” Camp Talganie Artistic Farm, Okinawa 2019 “Let’s Travel: Taiwan & Japan Exchange Exhibition” Shi Art Space, Kaohsiung 2018 "Art Formosa" Eslite Hotel, Taipei 2018 "Monsters Festival" WinWinART, Kaohsiung 2017 "Taiwan International Wood Sculpture Competition" Sanyi Wood Sculpture Museum, Miaoli 2017 "Exhibition of Sculptures by Emerging Artists" Lih Pao Cultural & Art Foundation, TSAIYUN GALLERY, Taipei 2016 "Taipei International Art Fair" Taipei World Trade Center, Taipei 2016 "KIAF / ART SEOUL 2016" Seoul COEX HALL A & B, Seoul 2016 "2016 The Sculpture Project of Iridescent Clouds" Dynasty Gallery, Taipei 2016 "Kaohsiung Today" Kaohsiung Exhibition Hall, Kaohsiung 2016 "The Sensation Summoned from Wood: Atsushi Mizutani & Tseng Shang Jie Wood Sculpture 2016 Double Exhibition" Dynasty Gallery, Taipei 2015 "Xi Xi: An Expedition of Media Usage" Dynasty Gallery, Taipei 2015 "YOUNG ART TAIPEI" Sheraton Hotel, Taipei 2015 "Up and Comers in Clouds" Elsa Gallery, Taipei 2014 "Taipei Free Art Fair" Huashan 1914 Cultural and Creative Industry Park, Taipei 2014 "Taiwan International Wood Sculpture Competition" Sanyi Wood Sculpture Museum, Miaoli 2014 "Dadun Fine Arts Exhibition of Taichung City", Taichung City Dadun Cultural Center, Taichung Awards and Grants 2018 Department of Cultural Affairs, Taipei City Government 2014 "Won't Touch the Ground", Taiwan International Wood Carving Competition", Third Collection 2020 “Swinger” series, Rock Records 2020 “Swinger” series, Chen-Mei Development Group 2016 "Engulf", National Museum of Taichung 2014 "Won't Touch the Ground", Sanyi Wood Sculpture Museum 2013 "Bizarre Love Triangle", Jinray Construction 2012 "Take It or Leave It", Lihpao Cultural Arts Foundation 2012 "Take My Body If You Want", Lihpao Cultural Arts Foundation Music Creation Independent band “Modern Cinema Master”, bassist Published EP “Paipu”, “State” 2020 Golden Indie Music Awards, nominee