15 Feb Seeker of the Hidden: Time and Memory in Swaying Moonlight——LAI Jing Solo Exhibition

The Edge Within the Rift – The Paradox of Lai Jing’s Paintings 

Since the late Qing Dynasty, Chinese painting has continually faced challenges and transformations in response to shifts in national circumstances. From calls to “revolutionize traditional brush techniques” to the ongoing discourse on “contemporary ink painting,” the evolution of brushwork, visual language, and artistic media has woven a complex and ever-changing contemporary landscape. 

Born in Chengdu and holding a master’s degree from the Sichuan Fine Arts Institute, Lai Jing distinguished herself early in her academic career, earning prestigious accolades such as the First Zhang Xiaogang Graduate Contemporary Art Creation Scholarship. However, unlike the dominant trajectory of contemporary ink painting, which often emphasizes subversion and experimentation, Lai Jing’s work embodies a paradoxical quality—quiet yet disruptive, making her a distinctive outlier in the field. 

Between Tradition and Innovation 

In terms of materials, Lai Jing remains steadfast in her use of silk, one of the oldest substrates in Chinese painting history. Since the Warring States period’s “Dragon and Phoenix Ladies” painting, silk has carried over two thousand years of artistic tradition. Building upon this legacy, Lai infuses her work with unconventional themes, atmospheric depth, and innovative brush techniques, breaking through traditional boundaries with a distinctly contemporary vocabulary. Her mastery of layered imagery, shifting light, and ethereal translucency introduces an unprecedented spatial depth and fluidity to ink painting, expanding its aesthetic possibilities into new dimensions. 

Mirrors, Windows, and the Rift in Perception 

Mirrors and windows frequently appear in Lai Jing’s compositions, serving as metaphors for deconstructivist thought. She has remarked that observing the world is akin to looking through a mirror’s reflection or a window’s glass—our gaze is mediated, distorted, and what we perceive is neither complete nor entirely real. Through these elements, Lai constructs an ambiguous space where reality and illusion intertwine, and time and memory continuously shift, inviting viewers into her personal realm of perception. 

The Tension and Paradox Within Stillness 

Lai Jing’s signature stillness resembles a dust-laden, half-opened window, carrying an unspoken emotional intensity. Her use of low-saturation hues creates a subdued, introspective atmosphere, while nostalgic motifs such as lattice windows and fabric patterns pull viewers into the depths of her memory. Layered imagery in her work subtly mirrors her artistic growth and existential pursuit, revealing an intricate interplay between subjectivity and self-reflection. 

A Cutting Edge Emerging from Contradiction 

Spanning tradition and modernity, serenity and intensity, open-ended narratives and intimate introspection, Lai Jing’s paintings radiate an artistic force that disrupts despite their quiet appearance. By expanding the expressive boundaries of ink painting, her work introduces a fresh perspective on contemporary visual language, allowing the history of brush and ink to refract new brilliance through the rifts of artistic evolution. 

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Seeker of the Hidden: Time and Memory in Swaying Moonlight – LAI Jing Solo Exhibition
Period｜2025.02.22-2025.04.12
Opening reception｜2025.02.22 15:00
Venue｜1F., No. 222, Shidong Rd., Shilin Dist., Taipei