Summer, Light, Water Reservoir (Almost Like a Swimming Pool) and Concrete

Apr 19
2 min read

Exhibition installation view back in 2021.

I rarely speak at length about my work, especially this “Geometric” series. Since around 2019, I’ve been drawing inspiration from architectural forms and urban landscapes. I’ve made quite a number of works in this direction, titled with geometric elements and serial numbers. For me, this practice is more process-driven than narrative-based—not every piece is meant to carry a story, and there isn’t necessarily a fixed intention behind them. Still, there are moments when an explanation is required, so perhaps I can briefly touch on where it all began.

A clip of the complex and the buildings around it.

It started when I visited a residential complex in Taipei. I later found out it’s quite well known and has been used as a filming location for various productions. I took a lot of photos there, but what stayed with me most was a water reservoir. Maybe it was because I rarely encounter this kind of residential design, but more likely it’s because I’ve always been drawn to water-related elements—the blue tiles, the circular form of the reservoir. Something about it made me decide to begin working from that point.

I don’t make many sketches for the Geometry series, so there isn’t much process documentation, apart from moments when the afternoon light comes through nicely.

From that single reservoir, a series of geometric “games” emerged:

summer, light and shadow, the water tank (almost like a swimming pool), dense concrete housing blocks.

I begin with just a few simple lines, then move straight into color. Every canvas carries a concrete-toned ground, followed by layers of gradients. To me, this became a way of sensing what a Taipei summer feels like.