SHOWCASE
/ ARTIST / 2026
| ARTIST: | Jimmy Lai |
| COUNTRY: | China |
| CONTACT: | |
| I am an independent artist working primarily with acrylic. My practice is built around a consistent visual language, using the flexibility of acrylic—thin washes, thick layers, and repeated overlays—to create works with strong visual identity. Over the years, I have developed a personal series that combines simple, healing imagery with deeper reflections on contemporary life. My work explores themes such as personal boundaries, emotional ease, solitude, and mental escape. The figures in my paintings do not represent specific individuals, but rather reflect the inner self of each viewer. The vibrant, flowing colors visualize inner emotions, desires, and imagined spaces of comfort and belonging. I actively participate in major art fairs such as Guangzhou Design Week and Shenzhen Art Expo, exhibiting at venues including the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre and the National Exhibition and Convention Center in Shanghai. |
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Winning Without Striving
A relaxed figure floats across the surface, resting on a Mahjong “Fa” tile as if it were a bed. Referencing the idea of “lying flat” (a recent social attitude in China that resists overwork and competition), the work reflects a shift from relentless striving toward acceptance, timing, and emotional ease.
The Red-Haired Girl
Bright green brushstrokes suggest a noisy outside world, while a doll-like figure sits calmly with eyes closed. Instead of reacting, she turns inward, choosing calm over competition.
Ease in Hand
In a soft, dreamlike space, the red-haired girl holds a pair of flip-flops—an everyday item in tropical regions. She appears relaxed and at ease, living freely and on her own terms.
My Titanic
A dense web of colorful lines builds a lively but chaotic world. A lone figure steers their own “Titanic,”（a classic movie） not toward something grand, but toward a place where they feel comfortable and at ease.
Riding the Wind
In a soft, hazy landscape, a figure stands on a flip-flop-like raft, drifting with the wind. It suggests a kind of freedom that comes from going with the flow rather than resisting it.
A Quiet Pause
Layers of colorful vertical lines create a rich, immersive space. A figure sits quietly on a floating slipper, looking into the distance—taking a break from movement and noise.
Drifting
Water, air, and color are all in motion. The figure simply drifts, without trying to control anything. It reflects a Daoist idea from ancient China—accepting change and going with the natural flow.
Hey, Stranger
A playful, childlike figure contrasts with a more serious idea: how people today get lost in digital information. The work suggests stepping away from screens and reconnecting with direct, real experience.