IVY CHEN
“ENTRANCE”

LANEWAY CAFE, WENTWORTH BUILDING (2024)

Ivy Chen, Entrance, 2021, digital photography, inkjet print. Image courtesy of the artist.

EXHIBITION STATEMENT

This photography series documents the entrances to abandoned air-raid shelters in Fujian, China, delving into the complex history and evolving identities of these spaces. Originally built as wartime refuges, they have since been transformed into underground restaurants, markets, and temporary homes. Over time, the serious historical context of these shelters has faded, yet they remain poignant symbols of the past. By highlighting these inconspicuous entrances, I aim to uncover the hidden layers of urban life and explore how people interact with these remnants of history, which now carry both the weight of their origins and the uncertainty of their future.

Further information about this work, and Chen’s practice, can be found on their website.

Ivy Chen, Entrance, 2021, digital photography, inkjet print. Image courtesy of the artist.

Ivy Chen, Entrance, 2021, digital photography, inkjet print. Image courtesy of the artist.

Ivy Chen, Entrance, 2021, digital photography, inkjet print. Image courtesy of the artist.