Ghost Dragon

Nylon webbing, steel, dried plants and flowers

6 x 26 x 1 ft

Commissioned by the de Young Museum in San Francisco for their 2022 Bouquets to Art event

In Ghost Dragon (2022), an abstract sculpture in the shape of a dragon, an evocative dialogue emerges with Hung Liu's renowned painting, Resident Alien (1988), recalling the symbolic significance of the dragon, an emblem of strength and influence in Chinese culture.

Ghost Dragon stands as a poignant departure from the traditional celebratory hues of red and gold that are typically associated with the Chinese dragon. The sculpture is knotted from webbing in a pristine white, a color that holds the dual meanings of mourning and death as well as purity and innocence. Both Liu's seminal work and Ghost Dragon conjure the tumultuous history of Chinese immigration and exclusion in the United States with solemn resonance. This continuing historical context of Chinese-American narratives imbues Ghost Dragon with a haunting presence.

Creating and Installing Ghost Dragon

Ghost Dragon is part of Chien's ongoing Crowns series (2021–present) which makes use of the classic knotting technique known as crowning. The work is composed of knotted and twisted nylon webbing, a material designed for manufacturing seat belts, around a steel core. The dragon’s breath is an arrangement of plants and flowers by botanical artist Jason Lloyd, who collaborated with Chien on this project.

Ghost Dragon On View

CREDITS

Artist: Windy Chien
Studio Windy Chien Team: Charlene Tan, Hannah Lew, Cobrina Grieco
Frame Engineering & Fabrication: Neal’s CNC
Floral: Jason Lloyd
Photography: Windy Chien, Peter Prato