Exhibition Dates and Location

Taaye's Solo Exhibition Feetless Bird 無腳 雀仔 is on display from November 9th 2024 - January 30th 2025 at the Civic Gallery on the 2nd and 4th Floor of the Township of Langley Civic Facility (20338 65 Ave, Langley, BC V2Y 3J1). The Civic Facility hours are Monday to Friday 8:30am-4:30pm. 

Feetless Bird 無腳 雀仔

Taaye, a Hong Kong-born artist now based in Vancouver, creates art deeply rooted in personal experiences of family dysfunction, relationship and career upheaval, and the frequent relocations that have shaped her life. These turbulent experiences have prompted her to explore the themes of impermanence and the search for enduring truths. Through her multi-layered, hazy, and subdued style, Taaye’s work evokes an emotional journey of introspection and personal growth. She offers a window into her own questioning of life’s transient nature, challenging the viewer to confront what remains constant amid life’s inevitable changes.

Central to Taaye’s work is the Buddhist concept of transcendence (出世), which profoundly influences her approach. This philosophy focuses on rising above worldly suffering to seek higher truths, an idea that Taaye translates into her art. Her pieces not only present visual imagery but also tap into a deep, meditative sense of ambiguity, where forms and figures blur, leaving space for contemplation. In this way, she seeks to express a universal yearning for permanence in a world that is ever-shifting. She believes that, much like in Buddhist teachings, the true beauty in both art and life is found within ambiguity, where soft edges and blurred boundaries offer the most harmony.

One of the key motifs in Taaye’s work is the yellow-crested cockatoo, a bird she recalls vividly from her childhood in Hong Kong. These birds, originally from Indonesia, were introduced to Hong Kong through British colonization and trade, making them a product of a colonial past. Yet, despite this origin, they have thrived and become a playful and lively presence in the city. For Taaye, these inquisitive birds symbolize a pure and curious energy—one that she strives to capture in her art. They stand as a metaphor for resilience and adaptability, reflecting the artist’s own journey of navigating personal and cultural transitions. The cockatoos represent a spirit of lightness and freedom, qualities that permeate her work as she attempts to channel this energy into her creative process.

In addition to the yellow-crested cockatoo, Taaye often integrates motifs from her Cantonese heritage, Buddhist imagery, and fluid landscapes into her art. Drawing from the rich visual language of her Asian upbringing and the diverse environments she has encountered throughout her travels, her work becomes a patchwork of cultural symbols and personal reflections. These elements are not just decorative; they are a means of exploring deeper philosophical questions around identity, belonging, and the ever-changing nature of life. Through these layers, Taaye captures the fragility and impermanence of what might seem stable or familiar, reminding the viewer that nothing is truly immutable.

In essence, Taaye’s art is a meditation on life's impermanence and a search for meaning within the ephemeral. Her work invites viewers to engage in this exploration, encouraging them to reflect on their own experiences of change and continuity. Through her subtle use of color, form, and symbolism, Taaye offers a quiet yet powerful commentary on the human condition—one that resonates with the viewer long after the first encounter.

About the Artist

Taaye is an artist and printmaker born in Hong Kong who has lived in the US, Japan, and Italy before settling in Vancouver, Canada. With a background in design and craftsmanship, she explored a range of materials including ceramic, wood, metal, and glass. This diverse foundation shapes her artistic approach, which she describes as "dancing with the materials." Inspired by her deep interest in history and traditional art, Taaye recently studied Nihonga, or Asian Mineral Painting, at Tunghai University in Taiwan, deepening her appreciation for craftsmanship and heritage. Driven by a desire to explore personal narratives, she expresses her creative vision through watercolor, printmaking, and mineral pigments. Since returning to the art world, Taaye has gained peer recognition and exhibited her work with the Richmond Art Gallery and Langley City Facilities.