This solo exhibition presents Xiao Jiang’s works from the past two years. Most of the works may refer to by gone events. Regardless of whether we’re looking at a scene happening in “this moment” or “another moment” (present or in the past), it inevitably becomes a reference, which confronts and magnifies sensitive issues.

This process might contradict memory, and perhaps even replace memory altogether. References lose their importance and are replaced by a space of timelessness, certain things have changed, others have remained the same, but have struck a chord in the viewers’ hearts.

The artist wishes to create a kind of scene with neither narrator nor narrative to force the spectator to forge his own point of view, scepticism, analysis, and make up the missing parts of the image. The damaged nature of the image enables the viewer to take the initiative to reflect on the work and recreate the missing fragments himself.

The series of images work like a diary of the artist’s life, or a close-up shot in a film presenting a complete ideology and social context. The crude and careless objects represented in the works create such a strong contrast that the image’s content seems insignificant. Perhaps the simple subject matter might arouse to investigate whether the scene is meaningful or not. But in the event that no genuine emotion in relation to painting is revealed, then how can we appraise the value of art?