Size 13 by Jiageng Lin

Statement from the artist:

""Size 13" is a set of black and white photographs depicting deliberately staged still life, found studio objects, and performance. These photographs serve as a metaphor for what I observe in the present. As things unfold, I often find myself in a position of uncertainty. Witnessing how systems of power slip into self-destruction, corruption, and absurdity, I process these memories and feelings and transform them into still images.

The still life and performance works carry both tension and a sense of irony and playfulness in their staging. The studio becomes a space where external events and personal perception overlap. Through this body of work, I respond to the present condition from a position that is both inside and outside at once.

*"Size 13" is referencing recent news, senior officials were observed wearing oversized dress shoes with noticeable gaps after receiving them as gifts from their leader. The poor fit, likely due to overstated shoe sizes, prompted commentary on their perceived masculinity and sense of power."