Same Roots is an installation centered on driftwood, exploring themes of identity, migration, and the transformations of nature. The work was inspired by my journey from Xi’an to Baltimore—standing on a distant shore, far from the familiar landscapes of my hometown, I was captivated by the driftwood scattered along the beach. Weathered by the relentless sea, each piece seemed to carry its own story, reflecting my own sense of being adrift in a foreign land: a young individual full of hopes and dreams, yet uncertain of what lies ahead.

In the installation, each piece of driftwood is adorned with paper fur, forming “fur trees.” Under regular gallery lighting, these figures embody resilience and rebirth—trees that once stood tall have been transformed by the currents, yet continue to assert their presence, symbolizing adaptability and the enduring spirit of life. In contrast, when illuminated with red ambient light, the “fur trees” take on a haunting presence, evoking a sense of captivity or sacrifice. The red light, reminiscent of a slaughterhouse, highlights the harsh reality that some trees never reach their full potential, cut down before their time to serve human needs. The iron hooks from which they hang reinforce this tension, emphasizing the fragility of life in the face of external forces.

Through this juxtaposition, Same Roots draws connections between personal experience and broader ecological concerns. Driftwood becomes both a witness to survival and a symbol of exploitation, bridging the journey of an individual navigating new lands with reflections on humanity’s complex relationship with the natural world. The installation invites viewers to contemplate the balance between resilience and vulnerability, transformation and loss, and the interwoven narratives of life, place, and identity.

© LIU SHIMING ART FOUNDATION,

COURTESY OF LIU SHIMING ART FOUNDATION

© LITE ZHANG, COURTESY OF LITE ZHANG