Yifan Jiang's Solo Exhibition Explores Mortality Through Cultural Lore at 56 Henry

Chinese Canadian artist Yifan Jiang is presenting her debut solo exhibition in New York at 56 Henry gallery. Titled 'I wish dying could be more like this,' the show addresses personal bereavement and human mortality through paintings that draw from Daoist traditions and Chinese cultural mythology. The exhibition features works created in 2025, including 'After School,' which depicts cranes—symbols of immortality in Chinese lore—alongside a spectral figure representing Jiang's deceased grandfather. Another installation on the gallery floor presents a circular progression of human silhouettes from infancy to old age, painted with black tempera and glitter. Jiang's artistic process involves using Blender 3D software to construct scenes before applying vibrant oil paints, creating cinematic effects. Each painting is accompanied by written explanations in a gallery pamphlet that detail cultural references and personal reflections. Notable works include 'Return,' inspired by Li Bai's poetry about mortality, and 'Slip Through,' which visualizes consciousness dissolving in surreal landscapes. The exhibition concludes with 'Finale,' depicting complete dissolution into serene abstraction. Jiang's work aims to reimagine death as a transformative experience rather than a taboo, utilizing cultural frameworks to process grief.