Witness, Element, Earth, Rock

Four elements (earth/solid, water/liquid, fire/heat, and wind/gas) formed the world, the concept from Buddhist cosmology and many similar beliefs. The idea of the rock series came from my imagination and interpretation of the earth element. Everything in the world has solid properties, but solids can also transform into other forms and become dissipated under certain circumstances. Then it goes on and transforms into something else and becomes a cycle. Therefore, we call this process impermanence.

In this work, I experiment with incorporating printmaking techniques with oil painting. The exploration of mixed media is also the exploration of materiality from reality. The production process is evolutionary, and the result is a dynamic creative tendency from one illusion to another. It is more like an opportunity for me to look back at everything I have done in this work and ask questions about the stability of our material world and how much we see our attachment to everything.

Artist Statement

My practice focuses on both printmaking and painting. The various techniques in printmaking make it easier to achieve my concepts and provide better control for the picture details. On the other hand, I also enjoy the freedom and flexibility of painting, which makes me better pursue the expressiveness of images in my work. Currently, I am experimenting with incorporating printmaking techniques into oil painting. In my practice, I pay additional attention to the visual presentation of my artwork because the visual experience brought by the power of images is the central aspect of my study, and it becomes the essence and destination I seek. My imagery comes from direct observations of the world around me. I am interested in themes of nature, humanity and metaphysics, and I choose my subjects from everyday life, mysteries, certain scientific concepts and Buddhist cosmology. As an immigrant artist, diverse cultures and artistic styles influenced my research and artwork. The contrast between the inner spiritual aspect of Chinese classical art and the logical attribute of western art drives my aesthetic appreciation. Transforming influences from academic painting, printmaking, traditional Chinese art, and modern digital art, I keep exploring through my artistic journey and invite viewers to see a connection between their world and my perspective.