For over a decade, Robert Zhao Renhui has explored secondary forests. The threshold zones between old-growth forests and urban development. He explores how these evolving landscapes reflect broader questions of survival, resilience, and coexistence.
“Secondary forests are a second chance for nature to find a way to reclaim its place after environmental and human disruptions. They provide a hospitable space for a variety of living subjects, where organisms can thrive despite and because of human activity.” - Robert Zhao Renhui
In this artist talk, Zhao will share how his research into these multi-layered ecosystems inform his artistic practice, touching on themes of settlement, colonisation, migration, and adaptation. Zhao’s work, A Guide to the Flora and Fauna of the World (2013), is currently on display in Materials and Objects at Tate Modern.
The talk will be followed by a Q&A with the audience, moderated by Curator Charmaine Toh.
