Tang Shuo's 'Borrowed History' at Plato Gallery Reimagines Ancestral Lives Through Fictional Self-Portraits

Tang Shuo's inaugural solo exhibition in New York, titled 'Borrowed History,' will take place at Plato Gallery from October 8 to November 7. This showcase includes new oil-on-linen artworks where Tang depicts his own image to reflect on his ancestry, delving into themes of heritage and identity. A notable piece features a black serpent, symbolizing his childhood fears from his upbringing in Dashishan Village. Inspired by Gabriel García Márquez's 'One Hundred Years of Solitude,' his creations embody elements of magical realism. Once home to over two hundred people, Dashishan now has merely a dozen residents. Tang is documenting its narratives and intends to publish a historical book. The exhibition features works such as 'The Migrant,' 'The Settler,' 'The Tree Hollow I,' 'Waiting,' and 'Vessel,' all from 2026.