By studying value, form and light from painting portraits and landscapes, I am observing and researching the purpose of life. An experience in the United States and my background of Chinese culture both strong influences in the way I think about making art work. There is a point that I observe in trains of Boston when people showing a different aspect of themselves. People zone out, looking physically present yet mentally distant, looking unaware and relaxed comfortable yet unclear dazed, looking present yet distant. I am always interested in what they feel in this second. Maybe this second can teach us a lot about life and how losing and gaining are happening at the same time.
By making paintings, I am trying to convey my life thinking which is influenced from Chinese culture, philosophy and life experience in the United States. Especially, I have been influenced by and learning from the Emptiness of Buddhism. Meditation helps me understand more about this philosophy as I try to find the moments and feel life when I empty myself. Using the Chinese way of Tie-dye, I try to create a real and unreal being and landscape in a confused space. It is also what I feel from my meditation practice. And these feelings change and always change when I understand better about Emptiness and real life. During the time I am making these paintings I try to meditate while sewing Tie-Dye canvas, breath practice and making marks. And through these practice I am learning life and making meditation-paintings.
My meditation painting are not only about emptying myself but also about reflecting on this fluctuant space in my mind. What is important in life. What we need to give up and what we need to empty. During the time when I meditate, I see a real and unreal space exciting in my mind. It is untouchable but colorful. The space could be soft. The space could dance.