Questers and the Tables, JPS Gallery, Hong Kong

This exhibition was Afa Annfa' ‘s review and reflection on what happened at the beginning of 2020. That year was destined to be an unusual year. The new year started with a global standstill. For the first time ever, the whole world was shut down. We began to keep social distance with others, isolated and confined in our own bubbles. But even in the life of solitude, Questers never stopped exploring. They were still seeking adventures from the world and beyond, finding knowledge, truth and philosophy that eventually formed a connection that was beyond physical.

As a result, their Tables became the starting point of the journey. The place of gatherings and witness of our joys and sorrows became the temple of newfound knowledge where creativity and humanities flourished. But perhaps most importantly, it became a space for meditation and connection to our inner selves. Finding the spiritual paths for the mind to equip ourselves for the ever-changing world. In this sense, the Questers were not alone, but instead, united by the same actions and values, joined together in a fight for the betterment.

Due to the pandemic preventing people from meeting with family and friends in person, all communication had shifted online, in response to this unavoidable situation, Afa specially created an AR Kiki with YAMANYAMO as a virtual companion. A series of oil paintings on the wall depicted individuals seemingly working alone at their desks, appearing solitary, yet they are all quietly connected by the same horizontal line. Like the Questers, we were isolated yet connected, just as the world was stopped, but it never ceased to be moving forward.