Open the little box and find my utopia
When I was a child, I had a small box. It was just an ordinary paper box, but it was a treasure trove in my heart. It contained marbles, silver squirrel-embossed buttons, and little dolls that he had drawn on pieces of paper. I always like to hide in a secret base, rummaging through these little "treasures" while immersing myself in my own little world.
At that moment, worries are isolated and only peace and happiness are left around. This is my utopia.
I think everyone may have a small box in their heart that contains their utopia. Whether they are innocent memories from childhood or moments of happiness that we treasure now, they will make us feel calm and happy at some point. So, I decided to open my little box and share my utopia with you through this exhibition.
Bubble Cows All Over the Sky: Reflections on Joy and Choice
This exhibition is not only a look back at childhood memories, but also an exploration of hope and choice. At the exhibition, you will see AKSOULMUCH's BOSS holding a submachine gun - but don't worry, the bullets of this gun are not a tool to destroy life, but a "bubble cow" that creates laughter.
When you see countless "Bubble Cows" floating in the air, their embarrassed yet polite smiling faces may make you smile knowingly. These bubbles carry a dreamlike atmosphere, and also symbolize the moment when each of us faces a choice in life: will pulling the trigger result in a bullet that takes life, or bubbles that bring laughter?
Everyone can make a choice and choose a decision that will lead to a better outcome.
Each work carries this thought:
"Utopia" (2023) is a 90.7 x 65 cm painting that uses spray paint, oil paint and acrylic paint to create the tenderness and brightness of childhood memories. Here, the "treasures" hidden in the small boxes shine again: those simple yet joyful little things accompany us through carefree times.
"The Secret Happy Moment" (2023) is a 90.7 x 65 cm painting that uses oil and acrylic paint to show the blending of light and shadow of heavy rain. I use the composition of dancing in circles to pay tribute to Matisse. That small circle, reflecting the colorful lights and shadows in the forest, is our connection with the world. This is a secret happy moment between you and me.
"Share" (2023) is my first pure oil painting. It is not only a creative journey, but also a true story of mine. The two little chipmunks in the painting are actually my little friends in life. They bring me countless comfort and happiness, and are the harbor for my soul when I am tired every day. They may be small lives, but they taught me how to find pure joy in ordinary days.
Choice (2023) is a combination of a painting and a sculpture. The theme of this work is "choice": in the painting, when the trigger is pulled, what flies out is no longer bullets, but daisy petals flying all over the sky - each petal symbolizes peace and hope. The sculptures, made of fine resin and clay, embody choices: each of us can choose to bring more beauty to the world.
"Peaceful" (2023) is a small painting measuring 26 x 38 cm, with simple colored pencil lines that are full of power. Petals are flying all over the sky, and each daisy represents the hope deep in people's hearts, light but with the power to bloom.
A dream and a gift: a little box that belongs to you
At the end of the exhibition, there is one work that will not appear on the price list. It is called "Happy Bubbles" (2023) , and the media is "the happy moments you have when visiting the exhibition site."
This work is not for sale because it has already been completed and belongs only to the moment when you and I completed it together. When you walk into the exhibition hall and see the floating bubble cow, surging childhood memories, and shining daisies, the work is born at that moment. In order to completely preserve the true appearance of the exhibition venue, the Happy Bubble Cow on site still has a fishing line. Each cow is like a happy memory, floating in the air, smiling, waiting for your gaze and imagination.
In my dream, I shrank into a small box hidden under the bed and saw familiar faces. Everyone was happily dancing with the Bubble Cow. When I woke up, there was a bubble cow smiling at me in my palm. At that moment, I was sure that this was not just a dream.
Other works and highlights
Thank you for participating in my utopia
This exhibition is complete because of you. Everyone has his or her own utopia in his or her heart, and my little box now has a new treasure—a joint creation between you and me.
Finally, thank you for coming into my little box and completing this dream utopia with me.
Spotify playlist: If you want to relive the atmosphere of the exhibition, you are welcome to search for "Utopia in Little Box" on Spotify and let the music take you back to the utopia in the little box.
Special thanks to:
Boxday Gallery - Instagram @boxday__gallery
Curator- Kenneth Yu
Exhibition video/graphic recordJed Weng - Instagram @jed19900225
Exhibition graphic record Tiger Lin - Instagram @tigerlin
