Lishan Min

This work originates from the Taoist concept of the Five Elements, which I have been familiar with since childhood. The Five Elements—metal, wood, water, fire, and earth—are deeply connected to directions, colors, and materials in the natural world. Additionally, in the theory of the Four Symbols, each direction is represented by a mythical beast. “Genbu” governs the north and is associated with the element of water, as well as the color black, metal, and minerals.

Using silver leaf, mineral pigments, and ink, I constructed a spatial installation inspired by the quietness of a pond at the end of winter, composed with folding screens and freestanding panels.

I hope the viewer can experience a moment of quiet, and feel a stillness that resonates with their inner self.

This space is intended as a place for seikan—a contemplative state of mind in which one observes nature and the world with calm attentiveness, allowing for new insights and inner clarity to emerge.

Born in 1998 in Nanjing, China.

Currently based in Tokyo and enrolled in the Japanese Painting Department at Musashino Art University.

Drawing inspiration from Taoist philosophy and the symbolism of the Five Elements, the artist centers their practice around themes such as “personal and regional memory” and “reinterpretation of Eastern perspectives on nature”. Utilizing materials like silver leaf, ink, and mineral pigments, the work explores spatiality and tranquility through painting, emphasizing the symbolic qualities and textures of the chosen media.