Oil on canvas
Mind Set Art Center is pleased to present Layers in Bloom, the second solo exhibition at the gallery by represented artist CHOU Kai-Lun, opening in early summer this year. The exhibition brings into focus the artist’s recent transformations in both life and practice, offering insight into his latest explorations. Structured around the concept of “layers” as a means of rethinking painting, the exhibition features approximately thirty new works created between 2024 and 2026. These works span painting, drawing, and sketch, unfolding as a constellation of varied yet interrelated expressions. Layers in Bloom will be on view from May 30 to July 3, 2026. An opening reception will be held on Saturday, May 30 at 3:30 PM. We warmly invite you to join us on this occasion.
A Deep Gaze into the Everyday
In Layers in Bloom, presented as he enters his thirties, CHOU Kai-Lun turns his attention to subjects that were once peripheral, bringing them into focus as central protagonists. As the artist reflects, “I see this exhibition as a process of discovery, allowing those once non central elements to become the main subject. Through a slower rhythm of living, and by not remaining fixed at a single point of departure, one can continually uncover the vitality embedded in everyday life.”
Through this shift in perspective, CHOU invites viewers into a quiet, meandering journey within his paintings, one that unfolds as a personal promenade. With a more buoyant and affirmative sensibility, he extends color and brushwork as primary means of expression, articulating a painterly language that reflects both his temperament and his evolving identity as an artist.
Two works in the exhibition feature distinct human figures: The Thinker and Two Beneath the Tree. The primary reference for The Thinker is a 1982 video interview of David Hockney, while Two Beneath the Tree originated from a 35mm film photograph the artist captured in a park. These two pieces encapsulate CHOU Kai-Lun’s fundamental understanding of and aspirations for the medium of painting.
As Chou reflects: "In that interview, the speakers and Hockney converse with a gentle, quiet poise about the various stages of life and artistic creation. To me, that represents an ideal state—both in human connection and in the process of approaching art. I was captivated by the rhythm of their speech, the cadence of their voices, and their physical gestures; set against a minimalist backdrop and simple chairs, it evoked a profound sense of immediacy, as if time and distance had collapsed, transporting me into that very moment. Hockney once remarked in another interview that a truly great painter can render even the most trivial subjects meaningful. This insight became the catalyst for me to look beyond the human figure. In composition, visual language, and brushwork, I sought to challenge myself and achieve a breakthrough." In The Thinker, both the pictorial space and the rendering of the figure reveal a noticeable loosening of the rigid forms seen in Chou’s earlier work. The silhouette and contours of the figure begin to dissolve, yielding to what the artist emphasizes as a vibrant interplay and expansion of brushstroke and color.
Blooming: A Continuous Accumulation and Interweaving of the Sensory and the Spiritual
In the hands of CHOU Kai-Lun, “blooming” transcends the mere visual tension of floral forms or vibrant hues; it is a multi-layered process of permeation and intent. For the artist, painting represents the efflorescence of chromatic layers as much as it is an exploration of emotional depth. Through the tactile accumulation of pigment and the fluid movement of his brushwork, Chou magnifies the minute, seemingly mundane fragments of daily life, elevating them to the forefront of the canvas. Here, they coalesce into a sanctuary where the natural world and the human spirit converge.
At the heart of the exhibition, Layers in Bloom, lies the concept of “interweaving.” Amidst a world fractured by disorder, the artist uses the act of painting to capture and articulate those vital points of anchorage that restore our conviction. These are the quiet companions of our everyday existence—the people, objects, and fleeting encounters that stir the soul.
As Chou reflects: “I believe painting carries a quieter, more enduring, and more penetrating force—one that is essential for those of us navigating the contemporary moment. Through the rhythmic cycle of wandering and observing, art offers us fresh perspectives and, crucially, the patience to resist reaching hasty conclusions.”
From the Disappearance of the Human Form to the Presence of the Human Spirit
CHOU Kai-Lun’s recent body of work marks a profound evolution in his artistic trajectory. While his previous practice centered on the meticulous depiction of human figures and the translation of cinematic language, this solo exhibition sees the "figure" gradually recede. In its place, Chou introduces environments and landscapes deeply intertwined with human existence.
By deliberately abstracting the human image, the artist seeks to unveil the hidden dimensions of our lives and the lingering traces of our presence. He highlights a duality of the “seen and the unseen,” inviting viewers to look upon an unpeopled frame and feel, with heightened intensity, the breath and warmth that permeate our everyday existence. As the artist reflects: "By painting more landscapes and florals, I aim to create a space for respite and wandering. While it evokes a sense of blooming, this exhibition also functions as a closed loop—an interplay of engaging with others, seeking solitude, harmonizing with nature, and wandering aimlessly to discover new things and internalize new sensations."
