Scent of Thunderbolts by Karen Tam

Karen Tam, Scent of Thunderbolts, 2024. Commissioned by the Toronto Biennial of Art and co-presented with MOMENTA Biennale de l’image with the support of the Conseil des arts et des lettres du Québec. Courtesy of the artist and Galerie Hugues Charbonneau. 3D Scan: Sophia Oppel, 2025.

Step inside Scent of Thunderbolts — click the image to navigate a 3D scan of the installation, inspired by the artistry of Cantonese opera.

Scent of Thunderbolts by Karen Tam [LITE]

View of Scent of Thunderbolts from the left corner of the audience area. Four wooden benches face the stage, fabric strips resembling bamboo hang from the ceiling, and a painted tiger cutout stands at the right of the stage with chairs and drapes behind it.

This installation reimagines the Cantonese opera stage.

Backstage of Scent of Thunderbolts with two wooden benches. Old photographs and a banner are mounted on the wall next to them.

Visitors could wander through the bamboo forest to explore the backstage.

A cluster of eight framed historical photographs and a hanging banner arranged on a white wall along the side wing of the Scent of Thunderbolts stage.

The banner on the left is a recreation of a banner shown in a photograph of the Ching Won Music Society. To the right are snapshots of memorable performances by Yuet Sing Cantonese Music Club.

Four black-and-white photographs of Cantonese opera performers displayed in a black frame on a green wall behind the Scent of Thunderbolts stage.

Photographs from the 1972 performance of Tears Shed on the Warrior’s Robe, in Montréal.

Side view of Scent of Thunderbolts from the left of the stage, revealing layers of colourful fabric, hanging banners, and theatrical props.

Side-stage arsenal: a weapons rack of spears and staves ready for performance.