Evelyn Taocheng Wang's 'Patternmaster' exhibition at Carlos/Ishikawa explores cultural bias through violent word games

Evelyn Taocheng Wang's showcase 'Patternmaster' was held at Carlos/Ishikawa in London from 21 November to 21 December 2024. Among the highlights was 'Pulling Pushing Dragging' (2024), a silk diptych featuring a quote from Octavia Butler's 1976 work 'Patternmaster', illustrating two women alongside disfigured creatures. Wang's 'Diagram' series critiques Western art history through a spectrum of color swatches linked to absurd themes. Three pieces draw inspiration from Agnes Martin but incorporate unexpected elements, such as a winged lion and a gender-fluid princess frog in 'Teray's End'. The artworks expose vibrant violence and challenge stereotypes related to Wang's identity, while 'Teray's Empty World, Raw Chicken Legs' encourages audience engagement, addressing biases and Wang's control over narratives of cultural violence.