You Jin – Metaphor
his works, You Jin pursues a method of observation which melds together philosophical theories of both Eastern and Western thought. Collocating the perspective relationship between Chinese and Western painting as a means of dialogue and understanding of universal energies. His dynamic images thus reflect on our shared contemporary lives, affected by ongoing changes in circumstances, ideals and situations which often require a systematic update in self-reflection and expression. Applying elements of traditional Chinese culture and icons; from the scholarly writings of The Seven Sages of the Bamboo Grove, to Taoism, Buddhism and the symbolic importance of bamboo and water.
68projects is pleased to present the solo exhibition Metaphor by Chinese artist You Jin.
The artist uses his artworks to create a very distinct universe that reflects on the complexities of human nature as well as social dilemmas. Passionate about the digital world, You Jin works in a country that has experienced an enormous economic and technological boom and has increasingly sought to break with the past. Today, You Jin belongs to a new generation of Chinese artists who are transforming the fabric of the contemporary art scene.
In his works, You Jin pursues a method of observation that merges philosophical theories from both Eastern and Western thought. He juxtaposes the perspectival relationships of Chinese and Western painting as a means of dialogue and understanding universal energies. His dynamic images thus reflect our shared contemporary lives, shaped by ongoing changes in circumstances, ideals, and situations that often require systematic updates of self-reflection and expression.
You Jin incorporates elements of traditional Chinese culture and iconography—ranging from the scholarly writings of The Seven Sages of the Bamboo Grove to Buddhism and the symbolic significance of bamboo and water.
Like traditional Chinese landscape painters, You Jin maintains a realistic view of his surroundings. This perspective, combined with his fascination for ever-changing urban environments, leads to endless possibilities within both cities and painting itself. For the artist, technological change must remain consistent with humanity’s evolving way of thinking.
This approach results in highly saturated canvases that form a riot of near-psychedelic colours, often containing multiple perspectives. The viewer is drawn into a colourful vortex, with the sensation of looking in many directions simultaneously.
You Jin describes his work as an “aesthetic image of life’s true existence”—an embodiment of spirit, mind, and world, both virtual and physical. A recurring image in his work is the spiral staircase, symbolising the cycle of life and the choice between ascending or descending.
Bamboo imagery at times represents the stability and perseverance of humanity, while at other moments it refers to the connection between earth and sky. Air circulates within bamboo roots without accumulation, remaining in a constant state of flux. Water, on the other hand, appears in three states: motion, rotation, and stillness. In Taoist philosophy, water serves as a guide to life and morality—acting as a force of turbulence, a burst of energy, or a mediator between old and new perceptions of reality.
What remains constant is water’s role as a source of vitality and its ubiquitous aura. No matter how the movement of “water” or “life” changes, the spirit of the self never disappears.
You Jin (born 1979 in Shenyang, China) is an artist whose work is characterized by colour, light, and line, executed through a precise, almost mechanical technique. He graduated from the Lu Xun Academy of Fine Arts in 2005 and has since exhibited extensively in museums worldwide and throughout Greater China. His solo exhibitions include Parkview Art Hong Kong (Hong Kong), Alternative Space LOOP (Seoul), Opera Gallery (Geneva), and EGG Gallery (Beijing). His work has been shown at international art fairs such as Art Basel Miami Beach, Art Basel, Art021 Shanghai, Art Stage Singapore, and Taipei Art International Fair. He lives and works in Beijing.
