Yet Always Blooming

The exhibition "Yet Always Blooming" explores the interconnections among mental states, body sensations, and the external environment, documenting the research of Effie Wanyi Li (China, 1995) conducted through subtle bodily perceptions and emotional experiences.

The artist began painting in 2021 during a period of grappling with anxiety manifested through a series of bodily reactions. This experience prompting her to question whether her distress originated from the physical or mental realm and how these two aspects intertwine and influence each other. With each attempt to translate the images from her mind onto canvas through perception and emotion, she feels herself gradually inching closer to that intangible connection between her body and mind.

In her painting practice, Effie Wanyi Li strives to perceive subtle bodily sensations and emotional experiences, translating them into a visual space. She enters there in the form of consciousness, bringing out different spatial conditions and diverse landscapes experienced from varying distances and perspectives. Depending on the intensity of emotional experiences, her painting perspective shifts continuously. When emotions are particularly intense, body responses are easily triggered, drawing her observational perspective closer to the inner core. Conversely, when focusing on less noticeable body sensations in daily life, she gains a more comprehensive view of the internal space, also influenced by changes in the external environment.

Guided by Ken Dychtwald's concept of "bodymind" and insights from the Chinese traditional medicine classic, the Inner Canon, Effie's initial practice in painting primarily focuses on the abdominal area, where emotions are stored and generated, as well as the chest and throat, where they are processed and expressed.

"Yet Always Blooming" signifies resilience and the continuous unfolding of inner landscapes, regardless of the intensity of emotional experiences. It celebrates the ongoing growth and transformation within, mirroring the natural cycle of blooming despite external and internal adversities. This theme reflects not only Effie's personal journey of coping with anxiety and exploring the depths of her inner space but also speaks to the universal human experience of growth, healing, and self-discovery.

Effie Wanyi Li (China, 1995), a Chinese artist based in London, holds a BA in Fine Art from Central Saint Martins College of Art(2019) and completed an MA in Painting at the Royal College of Art in 2023.