NO SIGNAL, 2019
Oil, acrylic medium on canvas
152 x 122 cm (60 x 48 in)

Blue Box, 2021
Oil on canvas
30.5 x 30.5 cm (12 x 12 in)

OXO, 2021
Oil on linen
46 x 61 cm (18 x 24 in)

NO CHANNEL, 2019
Acrylic medium on linen
46 x 61 cm (18 x 24 in)

Signal： Submarine Networks 01, 2024

Oil and acrylic on linen

150 x 180 cm ( 59 x 71 in)

Earth, our shared home, functions like a vast motherboard, where submarine cables form the invisible pathways connecting supercities. These unseen networks carry humanity’s collective knowledge and emotions, fueling breakthroughs and sustaining our interdependence. Yet, even as we remain tethered to our mother planet, our gaze reaches the stars, seeking guidance and hope in the cosmic expanse.

Signal poetically bridges technology and human sentiment, the interplay between Earth and the cosmos, and the vital role of art in archiving collective memory. Tan Mu arranges abstract dots to form a "digital constellation," where the connections between nodes and cables merge cosmic vastness with oceanic depth. Each dot symbolizes a digital node and a trace of "white noise," embodying the subtle, continuous flow of data and human connection. For Mu, technology is not merely functional; it is an extension of the body and an externalization of memory. Her works trace the flows of knowledge and emotion across oceans, emphasizing the expanding web of human connection while linking historical narratives to speculative futures.

Inspired by The Classic of Mountains and Seas, an ancient text mapping the mythical and the unknown, Signal transforms the unseen digital networks of our era into a contemporary narrative. Like ancient chroniclers who charted mystical landscapes, Signal explores the uncharted digital world, blending the poetic mythology of starry constellations with the tangible structure of global connectivity.

As an ongoing project, Signal evolves over time, embodying the fluidity of the digital age and recording the technological and emotional timestamps of our era. It captures the duality of connection and isolation, exploring how humanity navigates an increasingly interconnected yet fragile world. At its core, Signal preserves the ineffable—our shared memories, dreams, and aspirations—offering a contemplative space to imagine new futures while grounding us in the rhythms of our collective past.

Signal: Submarine Networks 02, 2025
Oil and acrylic on linen
152.5 x 183 cm ( 60 x 72 in)

Signal: Submarine Networks 03, 2025
Oil and acrylic on linen
152.5 x 183 cm ( 60 x 72 in)

LOADING..., 2019
Oil on canvas
122 x 152 cm (48 x 60 in)

"LOADING..." explores the digital imagery of Earth's satellite views as depicted on the opening screen of the WeChat app. This work delves into the ephemeral nature of splash screens, which momentarily mask the data-loading process in digital applications. Inspired by the artist's personal experience with WeChat—a pivotal communication tool connecting her with family and friends in China—the painting captures the transition from NASA's iconic Blue Marble photograph to a Chinese satellite image. Since its inception in 2011, WeChat has evolved into an integral aspect of daily life in China, encompassing various facets of digital interaction and cultural representation. The splash screen, previously adorned with NASA's Earth photograph, underwent a significant transformation with the introduction of a Chinese satellite image. This change reflects subtle yet significant shifts in geopolitical narratives and technological sovereignty, symbolized by the shift in perspective—from Africa, as depicted in NASA's image, to China in the new satellite photograph. "LOADING..." invites viewers to contemplate the fusion of technology, memory, and cultural symbolism in the digital age. It explores how instant images on digital platforms evoke memories and shape perceptions, while also highlighting the evolving dynamics of global communication and technological dominance. Through meticulous detail and artistic interpretation, the painting prompts reflection on the interplay between digital interfaces and cultural identity, offering a nuanced exploration of modern connectivity and geopolitical representation.

Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Seas, 2023
Oil on linen
182 x 152 cm (72 x 60 in)

Within the depths of contemporary culture's sea of innovation, undersea cables emerge as a profound marvel of modern technology, akin to the enigmatic depths explored in Jules Verne's "Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea." These concealed strands of fiber-optic splendor traverse vast oceans, their significance echoing through the currents of global communication. Seamlessly transmitting data across boundaries, they forge a tapestry of international connectivity and access to the virtual realm. Much like Captain Nemo's Nautilus, these cables navigate the intricate intricacies of real-time global discourse, where social interactions and entertainment flow unencumbered. Streaming and collaboration become a symphony, as these submerged conduits underwrite the very foundations of e-commerce, financial systems, and remote labor, binding them seamlessly to the global economy. Beyond their tangible form, these cables transcend mere infrastructure to symbolize a world without limits, a redefinition of cultural interplay, education, and contemporary involvement. Just as Verne's literary opus embarked on an odyssey into uncharted territories, so too do these cables journey into the unexplored horizons of human connection, redefining the parameters of modern existence.

Memory, 2019
Oil on linen
In three parts, each: 183 x 122 cm (72 x 48 in)
Overall: 183 x 366 cm (72 x 144 in)

Landscape, 2021
Oil on linen
51 x 102 cm (20 x 40 in)

Web, 2021
Oil on linen
46 x 61 cm (18 x 24 in)

The Glitch, 2022
Oil and acrylic on linen
193 x 244 cm (76 x 96 in)

The Glitch, 2023
Oil and acrylic on linen
193 x 244 cm (76 x 96 in)

Share, 2021
Oil on linen
46 x 61 cm (18 x 24 in)

Error, 2022
Oil on linen
30 x 61 cm (12 x 24 in)

Off, 2019
Acrylic on linen
In 2 parts, each: 28 x 36 cm (11 x 14 in)
Overall: 28 x 72 cm (11 x 28 in)

Play, 2022
Oil on linen
41 x 51 cm (16 x 20 in)

Reminiscent of the VCR playback screen, Play (2022) replicates the television screen on a linen canvas's flat, two-dimensional surface. Bordered with black in the suggestion of a frame on a monitor, the image stands still in the “pause” to “play” function. Frozen in this state of transition, the viewer is forced to confront the familiarity of the imagery and the consumption of staring passively at content on a screen. Inspired by Neil Postman’s criticism that visual imagery reduces serious topics to entertainment culture, Play (2022) toys with the idea of the television as a space that facilitates addiction and undermines independent thinking.

4K, 2022
Oil on linen
41 x 51 cm (16 x 20 in)

Privacy 2, 2021
Acrylic and ink on canvas
122 x 92 cm (48 x 36 in)

Privacy 1, 2021
Acrylic and ink on linen
36 x 28 cm (14 x 11 in)