Artist Statement

As economic interest plays a crucial role in shaping geopolitics in many parts of the world, my two new works for the Diriyah Biennale aim to demonstrate the intertwinement of armed conflicts, development, climate-related disasters, displacement, and migration. After compiling data and statistics from my research, I use ArcGIS software to create infographics and print these digital maps to use as templates for embroidering the works on fabric. One of the maps tracks the potential CO2 emissions worldwide with combined production (2019 - 2050) of oil & gas and coal, estimated through harvest mode analysis to be 318 billion barrels of oil (113 Gt CO2) and 64.2 billion tons of coal (128 Gt CO2). I used the data pulled from the 2022 research paper “Carbon Bombs” – Mapping key fossil fuel projects[1] published in Energy Policy vol.166 and crosschecked with other sources, focusing on countries with >1 gigaton potential CO2 emissions from existing and new key fossil fuel and coal extraction projects. The other map charts the global displacement and refugee migration in the context of CCM nexus, with the numbers of cross-border refugees, asylum-seekers, internally displaced persons (IDPs), and those affected in selected cases [>2022<]. Extracting the 2022 data from the UNHCR, Internal Displacement Monitoring Center (IDMC), and International Disaster Database (EM-DAT), I compiled a spreadsheet with 6 groups of data, from which 4 categories are presented in the final map: disaster-induced IDPs, conflict-induced IDPs, refugees under the UNHCR’s mandate, and UNHCR-registered asylum-seekers, all presented in circles (bubbles) pinned to their countries of origin.

 These two artworks are my first attempt to comprehensively map the Conflict, Climate, Migration nexus and therefore, certain inaccuracies and flaws are inevitable. The titles and the compiled data list aim to provide their complex sources to the best of my ability, but it might not always be easy to digest. And lastly, the embroidery nature of the artworks makes it challenging for map layouts, shapes, lines, countries’ names, and the info bubbles to appear precise and accurate. But do we really believe that cartography as a discipline is objective, definite, and reflects the landscapes below from the gaze above? Or does it rely on fantasy as much as geography? These inquiries drive forth my practice and hopefully, such efforts can contribute to international policy making in the relevant areas.     
—————
Cover image: After Rain, Diriyah Contemporary Art Biennale 2024, installation view. Tiffany Chung, Energy Policy vol.166: potential CO2 emissions until 2050 by key fossil fuel and coal extraction projects [each>1 Gt] worldwide (2023), center; Simryn Gill, Dalam (2001), left background, on wall; Ade Darmawan, Tuban (2019), left background, on floor; Christine Fenzl, Women of Riyadh (2023), right background, on wall. Courtesy of the Diriyah Biennale Foundation, photo by Marco Cappellletti.

Full captions of artworks:
Energy Policy vol.166: potential CO2 emissions until 2050 by key fossil fuel and coal extraction projects [each>1 Gt] worldwide (2023)
Embroidery on fabric; 140 x 350 cm; Ed 1/2 + 1 AP
Commissioned by the Diriyah Biennale Foundation for the Diriyah Biennale of Contemporary Art 2024

Mapping Global Displacement and Migration: nexus dynamics between conflict & violence and climate disaster [UNHCR, IDMC, EM-DAT: cross-border refugees, asylum-seekers, IDPs, and those affected in selected cases >2022<] (2023)
Embroidery on fabric; 140 x 350 cm; Ed 1/2 + 1 AP
Supported by the Diriyah Biennale Foundation for the Diriyah Biennale of Contemporary Art 2024

[1] https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0301421522001756#mmc1