Musquiqui Chihying: A Life of Navigation at Hayward Gallery
Navigating Sound, Image, and Global Heritage
This autumn, London’s cultural landscape welcomes a thought-provoking showcase as the Hayward Gallery presents Musquiqui Chihying: A Life of Navigation. Taking place across the weekend of Saturday 17 October and Sunday 18 October 2026, this compelling exhibition invites visitors into the nuanced and multifaceted artistic practice of Taipei- and Berlin-based artist Musquiqui Chihying.
Known for his inventive use of moving image, sound art, and sculptural installation, Chihying investigates cultural exchange, historical trade networks, and modern technological identity. A Life of Navigation critically maps out personal and geopolitical journeys, drawing connections between the African diaspora, East Asia, and global migration routes. Situated along the vibrant South Bank, the presentation promises an immersive encounter with works that challenge Eurocentric views and invite new ways of seeing our interconnected world.
What to Expect at the Hayward Gallery
The Southbank Centre’s renowned brutalist gallery provides a striking architectural backdrop for Chihying's sensory-driven compositions. Visitors can anticipate an atmosphere that blends cinematic storytelling with rigorous historical research.
- Moving-Image Installations: Thoughtfully curated video pieces combining archival material, fiction, and documentary elements that probe cross-cultural narratives.
- Acoustic and Sound Art: Resonant sonic environments that mirror the acoustic realities of trade, movement, and displacement across continents.
- Sculptural Interventions: Tactile objects that echo the tools, mechanisms, and physical materials associated with navigation, communication, and exchange.
- Curatorial Conversations: Opportunities to gain deeper context into Chihying’s research-driven methodology through gallery notes and specialist discussions.
Plan Your Visit to the South Bank
With the exhibition running exclusively across two dates in mid-October 2026, visitors are encouraged to arrange their journeys well in advance to ensure entry. The Hayward Gallery is easily accessible via public transport, located moments from Waterloo Station, Embankment, and Charing Cross.
Whether you are an avid follower of international contemporary art or keen to experience a unique blend of film, sound, and historical exploration, Musquiqui Chihying: A Life of Navigation offers an unforgettable weekend highlight in the heart of Greater London.
