Robert Zhao: The Divine in the Trash Stratum

Synopsis

The Divine in the Trash Stratum examines the overlooked beauty within discarded fragments. These are glass shards from long ago, picked up during forest walks—debris left behind and forgotten. Through photography, the debris is treated as landscapes, revealing hidden details in what would otherwise be dismissed as waste. This series also incorporates long-term observation of a tree in a forest, juxtaposing the endurance of nature with the fleeting presence of these remnants. By documenting these fragments and spaces, the work reflects on what we choose to preserve or ignore and how time transforms what is left behind.