Young Chinese artist Chen Mutian is exhibiting her paintings at the “Garden and Lace” exhibition at Enclave Contemporary.

According to the exhibition curator Bao Dong, Chen’s works present two seemingly conflicting ideas: One is to maintain and perpetuate an ancient and delicate world, while the other is to break through or even to destroy the world. “Hence, we can see two situations in her works: elegance, balance and restraint on the whole, and various quirks and undercurrents in the details,” Bao wrote in the exhibition profile.

“On the whole, the forms in Chen’s works adhere to a series of classic modern aesthetic principles, with elaborate structures and harmonious colors, showing a prevalent taste for abstraction. But on closer inspection, her abstraction consists of various specific experiences,” Bao added.

The curator explained that Chen adopts large amount of textile materials, as well as sequins and fur, and even recycled scraps like polyamide bags, onto her canvas. She puts them together by sewing, embroidering, pasting, folding, tying and mending.

Chen’s works include many figurative and imaginative images, some of which come from Han Dynasty (202 B.C.-A.D. 220) silk manuscripts. Some are symbols that circulate in today’s public spaces, and others are born out of the artist’s pure fantasy, with local and personal features, as well as a touch of surrealistic escape and wonder, according to Bao.

Chen graduated with a bachelor’s degree from the Guangzhou Academy of Fine Arts’ Oil Painting Department in 2009 and a master’s degree from Hunan Normal University in 2013. She later took advanced studies at the Central Academy of Fine Arts in Beijing in 2015.

Inspired by the cloud imaginary line patterns found in the relics excavated from the Mawangdui Han Tombs of Changsha, Chen has developed her unique artistic language and expression. Her works are composed of a multitude of mysterious symbols and camber lines. Strokes and patterns imply Chen’s unique insight into the world. Through oil paintings, mixed media and installations, Chen strives to find an exclusive way of thinking and expression, trying to create an inner landscape full of wonder for people living in a real life to forget their fears.

In her recent works, Chen has further explored the variation and possibilities of materials, becoming freer in form, more extensive in materials and more mature in style.

Dates: Until March 6

Hours: 10 a.m.-7 p.m., closed Mondays

Venue: Enclave Contemporary, Block B4, North Area, OCT-LOFT, Nanshan District (南山区华侨城创意文化园北区B4栋飞地艺术空间)

Metro: Line 2 to Qiaocheng North Station (侨城北站), Exit B(SD News)