En. Ai :
Creating Mythology
May. 5
年少时不一般的经历,一番周折后,
终会回归本我。
Uncommon experiences in one's youth, after some twists and turns, will eventually lead back to one's true self.
About the Artist
En.Ai is a Chinese female artist with multiple identities, including world champion, dance teacher, gymnastics coach, illustrator, designer, and mother. After experiencing some extraordinary experiences in her youth, she began her artistic journey in recent years. She returned to her true self and started painting in a pure and distinct style. Her works are inspired by mythological themes and blend beauty, depth, and mystery in a powerful way. With extraordinary talent and rich life experience, this artist has created a series of works that imagine the complexity of chaos, essence, and experience before they take shape.
Mythical Impressions
"Chaos" series of works first appeared in the eyes of collectors. After various explorations in the early stage, she began to create the "Chaos" series in recent years. She paints the mythical impressions in her mind. Her earliest impression of mythology should have come from the kitchen god worshipped in her family's kitchen. Her mother told her that the kitchen god was the god who takes care of meals. Another influence was the mythology system established in her mind while watching "Journey to the West" in her childhood. Buddha was the most powerful, and Guanyin was also very powerful because the four disciples could not handle everything and had to seek help from the bodhisattva.
Growing Appreciation for Ancient Art and Mythology
As En. Ai grew older, her appreciation for the Dunhuang murals deepened, with their lively colors, grandeur, and captivating stories leaving a lasting impression on her. "Shan Hai Jing" is another book that has had a profound impact on En. Ai, describing countless strange creatures that both intrigue and frighten her. Despite this fear, she continues to draw inspiration from these mythical creatures, incorporating them into her artwork in a way that is both beautiful and haunting.
Life Influences
Having multiple identities made it difficult for her to remain unaffected by the events of her life. While creating the "Mythology" series, she faced challenges related to her children's growth, work, and artistic endeavors, one after another. However, the beauty of art lies in the fact that every piece, after undergoing a series of experiences, can have a second ending, imbued with a newfound depth and significance.
 雷艷 Leiyan結果不重要 我們要的是筋疲力盡 It does not matter the result. We just want to be exhausted. Oil on canvas, 43.31 x 34.65 in, 2019. |  迷迷 Mimi快，要来不及補天上那個破洞了！ Hurry up, it's too late to fix up that hole in the sky! Oil on canvas, 43.31 x 34.65 in, 2019. |  遊差 Youchai Triptych子時覓食，彼此嗅到了彼此，於是…… We smelled each other when we were foraging... Oil on canvas,103.94 x 43.31 in, 2021. |
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 观荼Guantu努力努力再努力，TA定能知道。 Try harder, one day she/he'll know. Oil on canvas, 43.31 x 34.65 in ,2019. |  蒂兰 Dilan DiptychOil on canvas, 43.31 x 34.65 in, 2019. |  依度1 Here NO.1Oil on canvas, 59.06 x 47.24 in, 2020. |
 依度2 Here NO.2Oil on canvas, 59.06 x 47.24 in, 2020. |  翡亂 Feiluan那世間的紛紛擾擾，又怎及我和你的糾纏來得著迷呢 How can the troubles in this world compare to the entanglement of you and me? Oil on canvas, 47.24 x 35.43 in, 2021. |  與花同在 With flower没關系我在 I'll stand by you Oil on canvas, 59.06 x 47.24 in, 2019. |
 群窟双联画 Qunku Diptych當然，秘密基地是存在的，就像TA們說的阿特蘭蒂斯，也許更早更早！ Of course the secret base exists, they said, it's just like Atlantis, maybe even older! Oil on canvas, 78.74 x 39.37 in, 2021. |  玄餌 XuanerOil on canvas, 43.31 x 34.65 in, 2021. |  姝亞 Shuya慢慢地將身上的顏色退掉，心腸也不要太好，這樣我們就安全了。 Slowly take the color off the body, and don't be too kind, we'll be safe. Oil on canvas, 47.24 x 35.43 in, 2021. |
 渙遊双联画 Huanyou Diptych喂！跟緊了，風景雖好但我們緊緊要要的是趕去那個叫如幻象馬的地方。 Hey, keep up! The scenery is great, but we must rush to the place called Ruhuanxiangma. Oil on canvas, 78.74 x 39.37 in, 2021. |  回問 Back to Ask喂，西天怎麽走！ Yo! How the hell do you get to Western Paradise?! Oil on canvas, 43.31 x 34.65 in, 2022. |  侖龍 Lundragon為什麽出現了三條？ 難道你們找到了二十一顆？ Why are there three dragons? Didn't you find twenty-one eggs? Oil on canvas, 59.06 x 47.24 in, 2021. |
 《仙詞》Words噓！這事兒很重要，不然怎能商量個萬把來年的。 Shh! This is very important, or else how can the next ten thousand years be discussed? Oil on canvas, 43.31 x 34.65 in, 2020. |