Seeing myself as a person who paints, I approach painting as a verb—an action—and tries to answer the question: ‘What is painting (to me)?’ By looking closely at the process of making, I think about ways to pick up the things that are ‘around’ or ‘beside’, and used to be seen as ‘behind the scene’ of painting.

My work currently focuses on the basics of painting, with surface being the most important element. By painting on canvas that has only been primed with rabbit skin glue, I aim to create a looking experience that can only be fully comprehend by witnessing the works in person. Through repetitive use of simple gestures and subtle palette, combined with the texture of the canvas and the shine of the crystalized glue, the marks often remain invisible and only emerge when the viewer allows themselves time with the paintings. While attempting to maintain a sense of revelation within the act of covering and to extract lightness from the weight of the material, the marks also challenge the contemporary trend of quick and virtual ways of looking.









b. Taipei, Taiwan, based in London

2019-2023             Royal College of Art, MA Painting
2018-2022             Taipei National University of the Arts, MFA Fine Arts
2014-2018             Taipei National University of the Arts, BFA Fine Arts



Solo Exhibition |
2022             (a long) way to go, Carp Gallery, Taichung, Taiwan

Group Exhibition |
2024             “Moving Metaphors: Remapping Moorings”, ss space space, New Taipei, Taiwan
                     “the physical trace of a memory”, I/N Exhibit, London, United Kingdom
                     “Pacing the void”, Alma Pearl, London, United Kingdom
2023             “RCA 2023”, Truman Brewery, London, United Kingdom
                    “Positions, Part 2”, Alma Pearl, London, United Kingdom
                    “Paris, Texas”, Soka Art, Beijing, China
2022             “Taiwan Royal Academy (TRA) Winter Exhibition”, Taipei Artist Village, Taipei, Taiwan
                    “Nanying Award”, Xinying Cultural Center, Tainan, Taiwan
2021             “The Enclave”, The Asparagus Studio, Taipei, Taiwan
                    “KARANOTAMAGO” , Taipei National University of the Arts, Taipei, Taiwan 
2020             “Works on Paper 2”, Blue shop Cottage, London, United Kingdom (online)
                    “Thought I’d moved on only to stay awake in tears.”, Sunnyart Museum, Hsinchu, Taiwan
                    “WIP SHOW”, Royal College of Art, London, United Kingdom
2018             “The Fleeting Castle”, Taipei National University of the Arts, Taipei, Taiwan
                    “Youth Party” Graduation Festival Select Show, New Taipei City Hall, New Taipei City, Taiwan



Awards |
2022             Nanying Award, Excellence Awards

Publications |
2022             Nai-Jen Yang evokes a sense of magic and serenity -- Art of Choice Interview
                   





naijenyang@gmail.com

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