theBLANC is delighted to present The Still Flow, a captivating series of photographs by the talented artist Xuemeng Li, curated by Tingzhi Zhang and organized by assistant curator Wenjie Demi Zhao. The exhibition runs from late August to September 14 and offers a profound exploration of the intricate forms and methods of picture-making, seamlessly blending spiritual concepts with inspiration drawn from traditional Chinese landscape paintings.
Li’s work invites viewers to reflect on the ambiguity that exists between an image and its meaning. In line with the thoughts of John Berger, who observed that “meaning and mystery are inseparable,” the exhibition emphasizes the ever-evolving relationship between the external world and human spirituality.
The exhibition opens with Flow (2023), a striking triptych that captures continuous wave patterns, displayed in an almost abstract form. The waves, although external objects, evoke an internal journey for the viewer, gently encouraging a meditative state. The artwork bridges the gap between the tangible and the intangible, leading the viewer to ponder the deeper aspects of existence.
The philosophical underpinning of the exhibition is captured in a quote from Lao Tzu’s Tao Te Ching:
“The (state of) vacancy should be brought to the utmost degree, and that of stillness guarded with unwearying vigour. All things alike go through their processes of activity, and (then) we see them return (to their original state).”
In addition to Flow, Li’s exploration continues with a collection of black-and-white photogravure prints, including Sky (2024), Wind I (2024), and Mountains (2024). These prints are deeply connected to the artist’s ongoing engagement with the concepts of time and space. One notable work, The Night Sea, captures an immense tide under the gentle glow of moonlight, evoking feelings of endlessness and serenity. Through this image, the viewer is transported beyond the present moment, allowing for a transcendent experience of both time and place.
Water, a recurring theme throughout the exhibition, serves as a metaphor for the formless, ever-changing essence of nature. In ancient Chinese art and literature, water has always held a deeper spiritual significance—symbolizing stillness and the cyclical nature of life. This concept is beautifully realized in Li’s portrayal of water as a quiet ocean, a swimming tide, and snow gently falling upon the woods. Each representation of water provides viewers with a reflective space, both physically and emotionally.
Through works such as Withered Tree II (2022) and Still Water (2022), Li portrays meditation as a process of grounding oneself in the natural world to find a sense of emptiness and boundlessness. The decaying tree and the still water create a delicate balance between motion and stillness, revealing the quiet interplay between life and nature. The minimalism in Li’s visual language speaks volumes, using light, shadow, and subtle sensations to create a space where the viewer’s inner voices can be heard.
“In Xuemeng’s lens, seemingly opposite concepts merge into one: movement and stillness, illusion and reality, Eastern philosophy, and Western landscapes. If each frame is viewed with mindful attention, one may enter the artist’s state of mind, the time and space where he wandered, contemplated, and recorded amidst the mountains and seas.” Assistant curator Wenjie Zhao states.
Throughout The Still Flow, Xuemeng Li masterfully guides us through a journey where light and shadow constantly shift, and nature reveals its inherent softness, vastness, and vividness. Each piece offers a moment of reflection, bringing us closer to understanding the ebb and flow of life itself.
