Leelee Chan | Nestling Bi @ Hong Kong

For the commissioned sculpture, Chan presents Nestling Bi, an ambiguous biomorphic crafted from onyx, shaped like a Bi (璧) disc, which nestles within an elongated, leaf-shape bronze structure. This bronze element extends from the ground, tapering off as it ascends into space. The sculpture is balanced by a mechanical form amalgamated with oversized, ubiquitous everyday objects, including plastic egg packaging, a hex nut, and crystal chandelier bead. 

 

The heavyweight onyx and bronze are transformed into elegant composition that conveys a sense of lightness and fluidity of lines in space, simultaneously evoking classical and futuristic aesthetics. Upon close inspection, the veins of the onyx reveal its geological formation, unfolding the passage of time. The artisanal ancient craft of forging bronze is achieved by melting domestic recycled copper, emphasizing green, renewable low-carbon emission resources. 

 

The Bi disc, an ancient jade motif used for ritual and ornamental purposes since the Neolithic period, traditionally symbolizes a connection between the earth and the heavens. In this sculpture, light passes through the inner circle of the Bi disc, activating both the exterior and interior spaces. The Bi disc invokes the flow of energy between the artwork and its surroundings, embodying the artist’s belief that all objects possess a form of life beyond human perception or comprehension.