Ren Light Pan's Nude Self-Portraits Explore Visibility and Value at Lyles & King

Ren Light Pan, a Chinese-American artist, is showcasing a solo exhibition of nude self-portraits at Lyles & King in New York, running from September 3 to October 4, 2025. This exhibition includes large-scale ink pieces where Pan conceals her face while revealing her breasts and penis, drawing inspiration from Marcel Duchamp's Three Standard Stoppages and Donatello's David. The artistic technique involves using Chinese ink and water on fabric, which is then subjected to infrared light to create low-contrast visuals. Additionally, four wooden sculptures named Veneer, crafted from mahogany, cherry, maple, and birch, display inked images of Pan. The exhibition critiques the ongoing legal challenges faced by transgender individuals in the US, with pieces like From Five (no. 2) emphasizing the dangers of visibility. It will be featured in the October 2025 edition of ArtReview.