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The exhibition takes its name from a term borrowed by anthropologists from the realm of geology. Coined by anthropologist James C. Scott in his book "The Art of Not Being Governed," it refers to havens where remnants of state formation and rivalry gather haphazardly, resulting in regions marked by intricate ethnic and linguistic diversity.
While Scott primarily applies this concept to the expansive highlands of mainland Southeast Asia, ‘shatter zones’ generally denote peripheries resisting centralised control from states and empires. From the perspective of colonial cartographers and those advocating for civilisation, such areas appear chaotic, undisciplined, and often impenetrable.
The titles hint at narrative beginnings, yet closer inspection reveals a mosaic of specificity: localised realms of authority, conflict, and interaction. Han’s brushwork may depict objects deeply rooted in specific locales and cultures, yet they defy easy identification and resist straightforward interpretation.
Artist: JUSTIN RUI HAN
