This series of 30 works, created on double-sided silk, explores the tension and interplay between reality and fantasy. Each set consists of two paintings: the front portrays the protagonist's reality of living in a foreign land, while the back, through ink wash and calligraphy, reveals his inner desires and escapism. The calligraphy acts as an emotional link, with words such as the Japanese phrase "はじめまして" or the Chinese "多多关照" (Please take care of me) woven into the flowing brushstrokes. The protagonist’s everyday life on the front may be fixed and stable, while the ink and calligraphy on the back are fluid and changing.
"多多关照," a common Chinese social expression, conveys a polite, distant, and formal atmosphere. In this work, it is placed in the background and rendered in calligraphy, carrying a subtle sense of helplessness that communicates the protagonist's emotional distance from his family and his detachment from those around him.
"はじめまして”, a polite greeting in Japanese, in the
calligraphic presentation, not only serves as a conventional greeting but also symbolizes the protagonist's process of confronting himself and reassessing his identity over the years. The unique expressive form of calligraphy captures the delicate flow of these emotions, making each stroke and line feel rich in sentiment and ceremonial significance.
Detail pictures: