Art Rotterdam

Han Bing
Noah’s Ark 

Year: 2025
Medium: Ink and acrylics on Fabric, hand-cut and sewn
Dimensions: 150 × 500 cm
Exhibition: Art Rotterdam

Noah’s Ark is a monumental fabric work by Han Bing that expands his ongoing exploration of mythology, symbolism, and human-animal relationships. Through a meticulous process of cutting and sewing, Han Bing constructs an immersive composition where different species—both real and imagined—coexist in a precarious yet vibrant equilibrium.

The scene is populated by a variety of animals, each carrying strong archetypal symbolism but also serving as an allegorical representation of a nation. A massive, dominant hippopotamus, a tall yet vulnerable giraffe, an enigmatic orangutan, a swift and solitary cheetah, a calculating and watchful owl, and a distant, imperturbable white tiger—each of these creatures embodies the identity and power dynamics of a country on the global stage.

By layering these symbols, the work takes on a distinctly geopolitical dimension: Han Bing constructs a contemporary bestiary where nature becomes a reflection of international tensions, fragilities, and rivalries among nations. The recurring figure of the crocodile in the lower part of the composition evokes the silent predators of world politics, always ready to act from the shadows, while the more exposed creatures—such as the cheetah or the owl—represent nations more vulnerable to external maneuvers.

Drawing from historical bestiaries, religious narratives, and contemporary iconography, Noah’s Ark questions the roles assigned to animals in human history and thought. Tigers, cheetahs, crocodiles, and vultures—each carrying distinct symbolic weight—populate the scene, inviting reflection on the blurred boundaries between the wild and the civilized, the innocent and the rogue.

The choice of fabric as a medium amplifies this reading: a soft, hand-worked material that suggests instability and change, contrasting with the rigidity of geopolitical hierarchies. The handcrafted sewing technique, with elements extending beyond the canvas, evokes the construction and deconstruction of power, the ways in which nations redefine their borders and influence over time.

Through his distinctive approach, Han Bing integrates humor and playfulness, creating a work that is both visually engaging and conceptually layered. By transforming the biblical myth of Noah’s Ark into a contemporary narrative of international relations, he questions who truly holds control and who is condemned to follow. His ark is not merely a refuge but a representation of global competition, where the roles of predator and prey are constantly redefined.