Leah Ke Yi Zheng's I Ching Exhibition at Renaissance Society Explores Cultural Synthesis

An exhibition by artist Leah Ke Yi Zheng, titled 'Change, I Ching (64 Paintings)', is currently on view at the Renaissance Society in Chicago. Curated by Myriam Ben Salah and Karsten Lund, the show features 64 paintings based on the hexagrams from the ancient Chinese divination text I Ching, created using oil and acrylic on various silk surfaces. Zheng's work bridges Eastern ink painting traditions and Western oil painting techniques, employing materials and methods similar to those used during China's Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms period (907–960 AD) while transforming traditional scroll formats into contemporary objects. The exhibition includes paintings ranging from small-scale works measuring approximately 14 by 14 inches to large pieces up to 9 by 10 feet, with varied color palettes and surface treatments. Zheng modified the gallery architecture by adjusting wall dimensions and covering some windows to create specific lighting conditions, drawing inspiration from Robert Ryman's use of natural light in site-specific installations. The artist's approach involves both receiving and moving beyond historical influences to develop a personal interpretation of geometric abstraction. The exhibition runs through April 12 at the Renaissance Society's location at 5811 S Ellis Avenue in Chicago, Illinois.