Aftershock

On the occasion of the gallery’s anniversary and 2025 Art Basel Hong Kong, PODIUM is delighted to present ‘Aftershock’, a major group exhibition that explores the seismic reverberations of trauma and the transformative potential that lies in its wake. The participating artists, including Ivana Bašić, Sihan Guo, Ittah Yoda, Yein Lee, and Diane Severin Nguyen, probe the liminal space between devastation and renewal, inviting viewers to contemplate how one can revitalise without defaulting to, and being bounded by habitual operational logic. The exhibition opens on 22 March 2025 (Sat) from 2 to 7 PM and is on view till 24 May 2025 (Sat). 

In the face of seismic upheaval, our instinctual response is to seek immediate shelter, often rendering us incapable of processing the shock in real time. This primal reaction echoes our typical responses to trauma, where our psyche enters survival mode by rewiring mental pathways and synaptic transmissions to prevent emotional overwhelm. As we navigate the aftermath, a natural inclination emerges to cling to familiar coping mechanisms, which can inadvertently perpetuate cycles of distress. This exhibition draws inspiration from the geological phenomenon of aftershocks—where tectonic plates continuously shift and settle into new formations. By exploring these natural processes

as a metaphor for healing and transformation, the exhibition invites the audience to contemplate how one might learn from these shifts to build alternative futures that transcend established norms. 'Aftershock’ poses a profound question: How can one tap into the core of trauma and create new paths forward that break free from habitual patterns?