SHOWCASE
/ ARTIST / 2026
| ARTIST: | Lily |
| COUNTRY: | Taiwan |
| CONTACT: |
https://www.instagram.com/xi_xi_910 |
| I am an emerging artist from Hualien, Taiwan, and a recent university graduate. While I am currently developing my portfolio of fine art, I have cultivated a diverse creative background through illustration, comic projects, IP development, curatorial work, and professional tattooing. I have also been an active participant in numerous creative markets, which has allowed me to engage directly with my audience. My creative journey is deeply influenced by personal reflection, as seen in my graduation project—a series of comics addressing the theme of depression. Currently, my work focuses on a blend of dreamcore and whimsical, slightly eerie 'shojo' aesthetics. This collection of ten works explores the intersection of this style with the realities of everyday life in Taiwan. |
|
Tribal Maiden
Inspired by Taiwan's indigenous cultures, this piece portrays a young girl adorned in traditional red attire. The composition focuses on her intricate headdress and the geometric totems characteristic of indigenous craftsmanship. Through a contemporary manga-inspired lens, the piece captures a sense of both mystery and solemnity. The surrounding greenery symbolizes a deep connection to nature and vitality, reflecting the harmonious relationship between traditional heritage and the natural world.
Requiem Maiden
This piece boldly fuses traditional Taiwanese Taoist talismans with modern dark aesthetics. Centered on a girl with haunting, pale "corpse makeup" holding a spirit-calling bell, the work radiates an uncanny allure. A dense array of yellow talismans in the foreground acts as a boundary between the living and the dead, while layers of eerie, distorted ghosts haunt the background. Using a sharp contrast of black, white, and yellow, the artist utilizes the trope of a young girl to embody the horror and mystery of Taiwanese folklore, creating a striking aesthetic of contradiction.
Window-Flower Maiden
Drawing inspiration from the intricate iron window grilles—a nostalgic architectural feature of traditional Taiwanese homes—this piece explores the intersection of domestic history and modern surrealism. A young girl is framed by the rhythmic, ornate patterns of the window-flower, creating a dreamy, intimate space that feels both enclosed and infinite. The monochromatic purple palette emphasizes the delicate beauty of the geometric metalwork and the girl’s melancholic poise. Through this visual juxtaposition, the work reimagines the urban textures of Taiwan as a stage for personal, quiet introspection.
Traffic Maiden
Road signs, traffic cones, and crosswalks—the ubiquitous visual language of Taiwan’s urban landscape—are reimagined here as a dense, surreal forest. Amidst this regulation-heavy environment, a young girl grips a hazard tape, blurring the boundary between public order and personal chaos. The vibrant orange and green palette captures the high-energy, often frantic nature of city life. By juxtaposing authoritative traffic symbols with a whimsical, dreamy character, the piece explores the tension between regulation and freedom, turning the street into an unconventional stage for self-expression.
Spring Maiden
A whimsical fusion of a spinning park carousel and floral beauty, this piece captures the fresh energy of spring. A young girl sits playfully atop the spinning ride, bathed in a dreamy palette of soft pinks, aqua, and yellow. Combining stylized floral patterns with playful elements like a pink parasol, the work evokes childlike wonder and the fleeting joy of the season.
Phone Booth Maiden
A poignant exploration of connection in the digital age, this piece features a young girl inside a classic phone booth. Drenched in a monochrome blue palette, the work contrasts an analog relic with the modern presence of a "Wi-Fi" sign. The girl's focused expression evokes a sense of quiet longing and introspection, capturing a bridge between past traditions and contemporary communication.
Laundry Maiden
A whimsical twist on mundane daily routines, this piece depicts a young girl hanging among laundry on a clothesline. The blue monochromatic palette suggests a sense of stillness and quiet reflection, as if time has paused during this chore. By transforming a simple domestic task into a surreal, dreamlike vision, the work explores the intersections of reality and imagination, finding poetic beauty in the ordinary.
Mirror Maiden
A candid moment of self-care amidst the chaotic rhythm of city traffic. Reflected in a scooter’s rearview mirror, a young girl applies lipstick, her focus undisturbed by the urban backdrop of utility poles. The inclusion of floral-patterned hand gloves—a quintessential accessory for Taiwanese riders—anchors the scene in a specific cultural reality. This piece celebrates the intimate, private rituals that persist within the public sphere, finding grace in the mundane intersections of daily life.