Ni Hao

born in 1989, Hsinchu - lives and works in Hsinchu

Ni Hao’s installation explores foot fetishism and bodily intimacy through worn socks and videos sourced from anonymous sellers on Taiwanese secondhand and fetish marketplaces. These videos, filmed in private domestic settings and, at times, in quiet public spaces hidden from plain view, capture the simple act of putting on and removing socks. Now sealed in resin, these objects are presented alongside video monitors displaying the original footage.
Ni Hao reconfigures these gestures into sculptural portraits of anonymous desire, secrecy, and ritual. The installation expresses a personal urge to look closer, at the subtle systems and gestures beneath everyday life.
Ni Hao’s practice is shaped by moving between continents, yet Taiwan continues to draw his attention in quiet, persistent ways.

The Bloom That Holds Her Shadow, 2025, Two pairs of worn polyester and cotton socks purchased from a Taiwanese trans woman who identified herself as two sisters, contacted via Instagram following an open call on Threads to the foot fetish community; wood, beam-splitting glass, lights, and other mixed media; Video monitor, 4 min 36 sec, Dimensions variable, Courtesy of the artist, Commissioned by Taipei Biennial 2025.

Ripened Moon, 2025, Worn cotton-polyester socks purchased from a pregnant mother on a Taiwanese online foot fetish marketplace via Twitter; plastic, epoxy resin, and other mixed media; Video monitor, 1 min 56 sec, Dimensions variable, Courtesy of the artist, Commissioned by Taipei Biennial 2025.

Behind the Counter, 2025, Four pairs of worn polyester and cotton socks purchased from four hotel front desk staff on the same shift on a Taiwanese online foot fetish marketplace via Twitter; wood, plastic, and other mixed media; Video monitor, 2 min 17 sec, Dimensions variable, Courtesy of the artist, Commissioned by Taipei Biennial 2025.

Lovers III (Soft Mountain Offerings), 2025, Two pairs of worn magnetic couple’s cotton-polyester socks purchased from a pair of young parents on a Taiwanese online foot fetish marketplace via Twitter; Huggies baby wet wipes packaging, wood, and other mixed media; Video monitor, 2 min 11 sec, Dimensions variable, Courtesy of the artist, Commissioned by Taipei Biennial 2025.

Nocturnal Chassis, 2025, Worn cotton-polyester socks purchased from a male seller on a Taiwanese online foot fetish marketplace via Twitter; Tesla Model 3 car parts and other mixed media; Video monitor, 2 min 15 sec, Dimensions variable, Courtesy of the artist, Commissioned by Taipei Biennial 2025.

My Melody, 2025, Worn cotton socks purchased from a female seller on a Taiwanese online foot fetish marketplace via Twitter; trilobite fossil (Redlichia sp., Early Cambrian, ~518 million years ago); steel stand; Video monitor, 2 min 20 sec, Dimensions variable, Courtesy of the artist, Commissioned by Taipei Biennial 2025.

Elementary School Teacher (Recess), 2025, Worn cotton socks purchased from a 23-year-old female seller on a Taiwanese online foot fetish marketplace via Twitter; epoxy resin, UV resin, PLA plastic, rubber, wood, and fabric; Video monitor, 59 sec, Dimensions variable, Courtesy of the artist, Commissioned by Taipei Biennial 2025.

Lovers II (Yieldpoint), 2025, Two pairs of worn tie-dye Nike Dri-FIT crew polyester socks purchased from a gay couple on a Taiwanese online foot fetish marketplace via Twitter; steel, rust, and resin; Video monitor, 2 min 24 sec, Dimensions variable, Courtesy of the artist, Commissioned by Taipei Biennial 2025.