Chang-Ching Su and Rhett Tsai Explore Light-Lure Fishing and Geopolitics in Chicago Exhibition
At Watershed Art & Ecology in Chicago, artists Rhett Tsai and Chang-Ching Su showcase their explorations of the ecological and geopolitical ramifications of light-lure fishing. Their artistic endeavors are influenced by research conducted in fishing communities on China's Huangqi Peninsula. Su's works include the series 'Greenlessness' #1–7 (2023–25), which highlights greens from squid-fishing boats, and the video '10:47 PM, August 23, 2023, Daqiu Island' (2024), featuring a vessel navigating maritime borders. Additional pieces comprise 'In the Limelight' (2025) and 'Pocket Constellations' (2025). Tsai's CGI films, 'Green Light Ties the River' (2026) and 'Dozing Overpass' (2025), portray life in Lianjiang. The exhibition 'Jigging Green / Luring Bad' will be open from January 10 to 31, 2026, with insights from art historian Jessica Zi Chen.
Key facts
- Exhibition 'Jigging Green / Luring Bad' at Watershed Art & Ecology in Chicago from 10–31 January 2026
- Artists Chang-Ching Su and Rhett Tsai conducted joint research in fishing villages along China's Huangqi Peninsula
- Su's works include 'Greenlessness' #1–7 using film exposed to green LED lights from fishing vessels
- Su's video documents a boat crossing maritime boundaries near Daqiu Island on August 23, 2023
- Tsai's CGI films 'Green Light Ties the River' and 'Dozing Overpass' depict life in Lianjiang, Fujian
- Tsai's VR video 'Be Sampan' explores the Tanka community's history and stigmatization
- Art historian Jessica Zi Chen participated in the research trip
- Light-lure fishing is contested for ecological disruption, bycatch, and light pollution
Entities
Artists
- Chang-Ching Su
- Rhett Tsai
- Jessica Zi Chen
Institutions
- Watershed Art & Ecology
- Global Fishing Watch
- ArtReview Asia
Locations
- Chicago
- United States
- Huangqi Peninsula
- Fujian Province
- China
- Matsu Islands
- Taiwan
- Daqiu Island
- Lianjiang