Double Square 双方藝廊

Double Square Gallery is honored to present the solo exhibition Eternal Rhythm by the late Lee Shi-Chi (1938-2019), a luminary in Taiwanese modern art. Running from September 7 to October 5, 2024, the exhibition celebrates Lee’s pioneering role in seamlessly integrating Eastern traditions with Western modern art. Renowned for his versatile mastery across various media, including printmaking, ink painting, abstract calligraphy, lacquer painting, mixed media, and installation, Lee’s work, enriched through collaborations with poets, earned him the title "The Variegated Bird of Art." The exhibition’s title, Eternal Rhythm, serves as a contemporary metaphor drawn from a Buddhist concept, reflecting the transient nature of all phenomena, which are intrinsically linked to space and time. This exhibition delves into Lee’s profound understanding of these elements, offering a comprehensive look at his artistic journey that spans decades, highlighting his remarkable contributions to printmaking and ink art. The showcased series embody Lee’s deep exploration of color, line, space, and time, inviting the audience to witness his unwavering pursuit of artistic innovation.

The exhibition focuses on the theme of temporality that permeates Lee’s work, featuring pivotal series created between 1970 and 2000. It traces his exploration of time and space, illustrating how he transforms these experiences into artistic expressions. The Worships of the Moon series from the 1970s, inspired by the historic moon landing, combines circular forms with dynamic brushstrokes to capture the ethereal beauty of the moon. This series, rooted in the Taiwanese modern painting movement, also integrates a literary dimension through Lee’s interdisciplinary collaboration with his wife, Ku Yueh, further enriching the poetic essence of the works.

The Time Travel series, an evolution of the Dance series initiated in 1977, showcases Lee’s abstract representations of cosmic rhythms. These works, characterized by their vibrant colors and metallic sheen, reflect his deep understanding of time and space, creating flowing, spiraling images that embody the rhythmic interplay of these dimensions. The Post-Orientation series exemplifies Lee’s synthesis of Eastern tradition and modern art, merging painting, calligraphy, and craftsmanship. The use of lacquer, with its rich textures and bold contrasts of red, black, and gold, evokes the cultural significance of these colors in traditional Chinese New Year decorations, symbolizing Lee’s innovative approach to national identity and modern artistic expression.

In addition to these iconic prints, Eternal Rhythm also features the Inktalk series, where Lee blends traditional Chinese calligraphy with modern abstract expressionism. The series captures a delicate balance between strength and subtlety, exploring the interplay of ink tones and geometric forms, and underscoring the diversity and depth of Lee’s artistic vision. The gentle elegance of the Inktalk series resonates with the exhibition’s concept, reflecting the transient nature of time and the eternal qualities of art. "Eternal" reflects the temporal and spatial shifts in the artist's creative journey, while "Rhythms" emphasizes the artist's steadfast intent across varied media and the inherent repetition in printmaking. This exhibition not only pays tribute to Lee Shi-Chi’s significant contributions to Taiwanese modern art but also invites the audience to engage with his innovative exploration of media, form, and the infinite possibilities of color, line, and space. This exhibition is a testament to Lee’s enduring legacy as a trailblazer in the world of contemporary art.