In 2022, “Constellations: Global Reflections” was the first art exhibition created for a G20 summit. Installed in Bali, 20 site-specific artworks reflected on environmental and humanitarian crises. Curator, Lance Fung, worked with world renown artists, such as Yinka Shonibare, Minerva Cuevas, Xu Bing, Thomas Ruff, Kimsooja, Tony Albert, Arahmaiani Feisal, Dana Awartani, Berkay Bugdan, Genevieve Cadieux, Minerva Cuevas, N.S. Harsha,  Kota Hirakawa, Ilya & Emilia Kabakov, Naledi Tshegofatso Modupi, A.D Pirous, Paola Pivi, Liliana Porter, Caio Reisewitz, Kiki Smith, Ben Vautier to realize their commissions and investigations of ecology, colonialism, and consumption amid the political arena.

The diverse group of artists ranged in age from their 30’s to their 90’s. Each artist offered personal views of the need for global cooperation and continued policy changes regarding environmental justice, climate change, gender equity and the return to basic humanity and empathy in this unprecedented exhibition.

In 2024, “Constellations” evolved into an annual exhibition with Fung identifying a specific focus for his process of artist selection for this edition. “H2O” was inspired in part by the launch partner and event of the 10th World Water Forum in Bali. With this unique synergy, Fung concentrated his artist selection from artists living or from Island Nations and communities so that that their interpretation of the effects of climate change would be authentic and based on immediate and personal experience. He hopes this incredible intellectual and aesthetical resource can be tapped into and shared.

Twelve new artists were selected to create new artworks that would become a global platform dedicated to exploring inclusive and innovative solutions for critical water related issues, particularly in accelerating the achievement of Sustainable Development Goals 2030. Themes range from water access, quality, sea level rise, and so many other urgent situations. The diverse and passionate group of artists for this second edition include: Mariam Alnoaimi (Bahrain), Ragnar Axelsson (Iceland), Carlos Esteves (Cuba), David Gumbs (Martinique), Katie Holton (Ireland), Sid Natividad (Philippines), Donna Ong (Singapore), Gayan Prageeth (Sri Lanka), Alexis Rockman (USA), Abigail Romanchak (Hawaii), Citra Sasmita (Bali), Michael Tuffery (New Zealand).

Each artist created narrative-based works posed by the curatorial theme resulting in twelve new rotating artworks.

Each artist offers personal views of the need for global cooperation and continued policy changes regarding environmental justice, sea level rise, ocean plastic pollution, and the return to basic humanity and empathy in this unprecedented exhibition. These complex challenges call for uniting in diversity and bridging social, ecological, and spiritual divides.

In Constellations: Global Reflections, H2O Edition, the artists explore further the multifaceted relationship between humanity and water. Their works traverse environmental justice themes, the rising tide of climate change, the pervasive crisis of ocean plastic pollution, and the urgent need for a collective return to empathy and shared humanity. Each artist brings a deeply personal perspective, urging us to consider the interconnectedness of our actions and the ripple effects on global ecosystems. Together, they spotlight the critical need for worldwide cooperation and continued policy innovation to protect water—our most vital resource—and address the profound challenges of our time.

The H2O exhibition brings together an extraordinary collection of international artists’ works illuminating the profound and multifaceted relationships between humanity and water.

The artists confront pressing global challenges through their diverse cultural perspectives, including climate change, biodiversity loss, industrialization, and globalization’s social and ecological impacts. From the depths of the oceans to sacred rivers and threatened islands, these works serve as a call to action, urging us to recognize water as a life-sustaining force and a sacred entity deserving of respect and protection.

Each installation in this exhibition is a testament to the power of art to foster understanding and inspire change. Whether it is the imagined resilience of Creole gardens in Ethno Spirits, the esoteric symbolism in Cry Me a River, or the meditative simplicity of Water is Life, the exhibition invites viewers to reflect on the urgent need for environmental justice, cultural preservation, and collective empathy. These works not only tell the stories of the artists’ communities and landscapes but also pose universal questions about our shared responsibility to the planet and to each other.

In an escalating environmental crisis, H2O stands as a beacon of hope and unity, bridging social, ecological, and spiritual divides. It challenges us to embrace a more harmonious relationship with nature and to envision a future where humanity acts as a steward, rather than an exploiter, of the Earth’s most precious resource.

Constellations: Global Reflections, H2O Edition premieres on December 14th, 2024, as part of the Tri Hita Karana Universal Reflection Journey (THK U), a global initiative uniting diverse actors and communities to build trust and collaboration. This event, co-hosted by the Indonesian government and global partners, embodies “Uniting in Diversity” principles for people, planet, prosperity, peace, and partnership. The exhibition seeks to bridge social, ecological, and cultural divides through art, inspiring collective action to address the water crises threatening our shared future.

Lance M. Fung, December 2024
Fung Collaboratives Curator