THE RABBIT PARTY
2023 NEW YORK GROUP EXHIBITION
Phillip Auction House
28/JAN - 28/FEB
''This piece is an alternative love letter to my young souls''
Invited by New York contemporary art curator Christophe Mao, Taiwanese artist Jasper Huang presented his new work "SEE NO EVIL" at the Phillips Auction House's global rabbit year creative joint exhibition at the beginning of 2023. The work debuted at "The Rabbit Party" on January 28, featuring artworks by various artists, including Ai Weiwei. Wang Siwei, a well-known model friend from the fashion industry in Taiwan, also attended the event in style. This art extravaganza is expected to continue at the Front Wave Gallery for one month.
In 2023, the Lunar New Year welcomes the Year of the Rabbit. In this joint exhibition, Jasper draws inspiration from Taiwan's past colloquialisms referring to gay men as "rabbits." His creation "SEE NO EVIL" embodies the concept of the Three Wise Monkeys, urging us to navigate the polluted messages we encounter online with discernment.
The premise of "see no evil" lies in the ability to first "see." Research reveals that rabbits, despite their nocturnal vision, maintain a keen awareness of danger. Yet, they remain gentle herbivores, using their night vision to evade predators. Having seen the dangers, we must cultivate the ability to "see no evil" – a blend of wisdom, upbringing, and self-discipline.
Jasper hopes that as we enter 2023, we approach the Year of the Rabbit with wisdom. He encourages everyone to develop sharp discernment and find their own wisdom and love in the coming year.
Since relocating to Paris, France in 2018, artist Jasper expressed, "Twenty-five years ago, after completing my studies, I bravely ventured to New York, learned about art, then returned to Taiwan to start my own business. Now, with a sense of familiarity toward my second homeland, I reflect on desires as an art creator. I present my thoughts on the frequent eruption of sexual imagery in modern society, as well as the physical pleasures commonly seen on various social networking platforms, to the public and software users alike."
Jasper's debut artwork in New York, "SEE NO EVIL," part of the "See No Evil, Hear No Evil, Speak No Evil" series, represents the "see no evil" concept. This piece can also be understood as a unique love letter to young souls, marking a mature milestone for the artist with its first public bidding in New York.
An exciting highlight of the Rabbit Year Creative Exhibition, curated by New York contemporary art curator Christophe W. Mao at the renowned Phillips Auction House, was the presence of Taiwanese-American model Wang Siwei, who simultaneously developed her career in Taiwan. Siwei attended The Rabbit Party, unexpectedly encountering Jasper's artistic creation in New York. Jasper remarked, "Interestingly, Siwei happens to be a Rabbit zodiac sign. She is currently focusing on developing her modeling career in New York and looks forward to us both 'sparking new flames' in the Year of the Rabbit abroad."
