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Mars became an escape for Hong Kong artist during the pandemic – now his work uses space and the Red Planet to mock social media and consumerism

Ernest Chang’s solo exhibition, ‘Space Rich’, takes a swipe at society’s obsession with social media and consumerism while asking if we can escape them

The Hong Kong-based exhibition was informed by the pandemic, in which he ‘obsessed about Mars and imagined the extreme isolation that astronauts must feel’

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Artist Ernest Chang’s solo exhibition “Space Rich” is being held at The Stallery in Wan Chai, Hong Kong. His show explores space and our unhealthy relationship with consumerism. Photo: The Stallery

Published: 5:15pm, 6 Apr 2023

Ernest Chang’s solo exhibition “Space Rich”, at The Stallery in Wan Chai on Hong Kong Island, transports the viewer to another world.

But do not worry – on this barren Mars landscape you can still use your smartphone, check into a luxury hotel and buy a designer handbag, all while sipping that well-known brand of sugary cola.

Showcasing five sculptures and 14 screen-prints on perspex, some with complicated moving parts and all presented in locally made silver frames, “Space Rich” takes a swipe at society’s obsession with social media and consumerism while asking if we can ever escape them.

A pattern seems to be emerging. In his 2021 “Bling Dynasty” exhibition, Chang manipulated symbols from pop culture and luxury brands that have infiltrated our subconscious.

“Not to be Reproduced” by Ernest Chang. Photo: The Stallery/Ernest Chang

“These logos and symbols become subliminal messages that are recognisable around the world by people of all ages, which is kind of sad,” says Chang, adding that his latest show was informed by three years of pandemic isolation.

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