In the fading of soap, I glimpse the constancy of existence

Reflection on the Exhibition Selection

When I was a child, I often felt a quiet sadness watching a piece of soap slowly disappear.

A new soap is always square, smooth, and jade-like. But with times of washing, it rubs against hands and clothes, then becomes rough and cracked, shrinking little by little until it disappear completely. This mirrors the track of life itself — from an infant to a wrinkled elder, and finally to death, returning to nothingness.

Yet in a closed system, matter and energy are conserved. Nothing truly disappears, what seems disappeared is merely transforms. Life is the same — individual death is merely a transformation into another form of existence. 

Therefore, I depict a soap figure gradually dying, while the vanished parts reunite and slowly take shape again, symbolizing rebirth. 

As Zhuangzi (A famous ancient Chinese philosopher)  wrote:

“Heaven and Earth were born with me; all things and I are one.”

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Lathered Living was held from September 24 to October 8 at 798 Art District, Beijing’s most renowned art hub. It is an exhibition of works from global young artists and supported by JingDong (Joybuy’s parent company, one of China’s major enterprises). In this exhibition, works used soap as the primary material, exploring three sub-themes: interpersonal relationships, the body/self, and perceptions of the world.

When I first saw the exhibiiton’s open call in August, the sub-theme “perceptions of the world” attract me a lot. I had previously created a work exploring the concept of “disappearance” in Eastern philosophy, which closely resonated with its theme and materials‘ concept. I adapted that work and was successfully selected.

This was the first time I independently found an exhibition opportunity and made it through a competitive selection process. I also received a £105 gift card as a prize, so I am so excited and proud of it. Besides, I was also fortunate to see many outstanding works by other young artists in this exhibition. This experience made me feel that my work was recognized and seen by a broader audience. It has encouraged me to take part in more public art activities and share my ideas with the world.