01 Oct Esoteric, Enchanting, and Extraordinary—Zhang Yuanyuan’s Solo Exhibition

Traversing Mythic Landscapes: Zhang YuanYuan’s Radiant Worlds 

In exploring the essence of Chinese art, scholars often refer to aesthetic ideals like “extrinsic learned form nature, intrinsic founded on cultivation” or approach it through Confucian and Daoist philosophies. However, from the mysterious relics of the Sanxingdui site to the fantastical narratives of The Songs of Chu and The Classic of Mountains and Seas, a romantic and surrealist style, rooted in ancient mythology, emerges. These myth-laden worlds are not just remnants of ancient memory, but reflections of humanity’s collective unconscious in response to the unknown. 

Artist Zhang Yuanyuan, from Hubei and educated in Tokyo, channels her inner reflections into vibrant visual language. Inspired by the 311 earthquake, she expresses heightened sensitivity to life through radiant, ethereal scenes. Using celestial imagery and anthropomorphic narratives, her joyful, playful works may appear fantastical but are deeply rooted in the landscapes of Hubei and Japan’s cultural traditions, creating profoundly moving art. 

Zhang has said that the koi and cats in her paintings symbolize the dialogue between two worlds—this one and the beyond. From real-world landmarks like ‘Swimming Koi at Golden Pavilion’ and ‘Rising Dragon at Mt. Fuji’ to ‘imagined scenes like Koi in Penglai Mountain’ and ‘Cat land’, her skillful blending of reality and fantasy showcases her artistic mastery. The layers of space and evolving life forms in her paintings open endless possibilities for the viewer’s imagination, like a new atlas unfolding. 

Her work blends white and gold hues to create layered compositions that fuse Japanese wabi-sabi with auspicious Chinese symbols. Drawing from Song Dynasty ink traditions, she incorporates beeswax, mineral pigments, gold leaf, and linen, while using ancient encaustic methods from Rome and Egypt for a global touch. Her imagery combines Japanese quietude, Chinese symbolism, and Buddhist mysticism, representing a cultural fusion that explores the intersection of tradition and modernity. 

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Esoteric, Enchanting, and Extraordinary—Zhang Yuanyuan’s Solo Exhibition
Period｜2024.10.19-11.30
Venue｜1F., No. 222, Shidong Rd., Shilin Dist., Taipei
Tel｜+886-2-28310558