The world we live in today has been profoundly influenced by maritime civilizations. No longer a distant frontier, the ocean is a vital stage for human activity, connecting the past, present, and future as we set sail toward the seas and transcending time. To embark on such a journey across the seas is navigating physical waters and the currents of time, propelling the sails of civilization toward beautiful, yet unseen horizons.

Zhoushan, China’s largest archipelago and a historic port city, is renowned for its distinctive East China Sea geo-cultural identity. The enduring mythological story of the East China Sea, Jingwei Tries to Fill the Sea reflects humanity’s most essential and timeless themes: the fear of survival, the instinct to preserve life, and above all, indomitable determination. Today, as global technological advancements accelerate, we face survival challenges similar to those of our ancestors—challenges not subduing nature but achieving sustainable development with it. This exhibition invites us to reflect: Do we still embody the resilience and perseverance of those who came before us? By adopting a maritime perspective, are we able to reinterpret the complexities of the modern world and draw upon ancient wisdom navigate toward the future?

The inaugural exhibition of the Zhoushan City (Putuo District) Art Museum, “Sailing Home” invites us rediscover the ocean’s spirit, exploring the intricate relationship between local culture, natural environments, and global perspectives. As a new cultural landmark in the Port of Shenjiamen, the museum’s contemporary architecture pays homage to its historic origins as a shipyard. The dynamic interplay between its fluid ground and roof evokes Zhoushan’s enduring cultural memories and maritime legacy.

Featuring 16 renowned contemporary artists and collectives from China and abroad, nearly half have created new site-specific works. Through thoughtful observation and reflection, the artists encapsulate Zhoushan’s spaces, memories, and spirit, channeling their personal and sensory experiences into the artworks, These works with diverse media and perspectives in the flowing space, like boats that live with each other, charting an exploration akin to “sailing on land.”, sailing to the future, and sailing to the soul of the ocean.

“Sailing Home” is hosted by The People's Government of Zhoushan Municipality, organized by Zhoushan Municipal Bureau of Culture, Broadcast, Television, Tourism and Sports, and Putuo District People's Government of Zhoushan Municipality, executed by Putuo District Bureau of Culture, Broadcast, Television, Tourism and Sports of Zhoushan Municipality, and Zhoushan East Coast Investment & Real Estate Co., Ltd. The exhibition is curated by UCCA Lab from UCCA Center for Contemporary Art. Special thanks go to BenQ , Cen’s Wooden Boat, Professor Guo Baoying’s team of Zhejiang Ocean University and Zhoushan Putuo District Archives for their valuable support. The exhibition space is designed by ARCHIEE Architecture Studio.