Chen Yi Ching "In Full Bloom"

About

The Nicolas Auvray Gallery is proud to present In Full Bloom, the New York debut solo exhibition by Chen Yi Ching, one of the few contemporary artists practicing Nihonga, the refined tradition of Japanese painting, outside of Japan. Born in Taiwan, trained under master painters in Kyoto, and now based in Paris, Chen’s practice is shaped not by geography but by a commitment to precision, depth, and material sensitivity.

Her large-scale floral compositions, crafted from ground minerals, plant dyes, and gold leaf, blur the lines between ancient technique and contemporary sensibility. The result is a body of work that appears light and ethereal at first glance, yet reveals a material depth and historical resonance upon closer view.

“I wanted to go to the source of this art,” says Chen. “The minerals that make up the Nihonga pigments fascinate me—they give the work a special energy. Thanks to them, the painting has a velvety, sparkling quality that cannot be found in any other technique.”

While her paintings may initially appear like misty brushwork or even spray paint, a closer look reveals their unexpected physicality. Built layer by layer on washi paper with natural glues and minerals, her surfaces shimmer with nuance and quietly assert the labor, history, and devotion embedded in each piece. Her compositions echo Japanese screens, Chinese scroll painting, and the lyricism of European Impressionism. All synthesized through an intuitive, deeply personal visual language.

Chen Yi Ching
studied under celebrated Nihonga masters Takao Yamazaki and Atsushi Uemura at Kyoto City University of Arts, where she won the prestigious Shouhaku Museum Grand Prize in 2003. Since then, she has exhibited widely in Japan, Taiwan, and across Europe, and authored the first French-language book on Nihonga painting. Today, she is one of the leading figures keeping this refined tradition alive in the contemporary art landscape, while also expanding its reach and relevance.

In Full Bloom arrives just after the close of cherry blossom season, offering New Yorkers a final, unexpected flourish. While the subject matter is nature in full expression, the show speaks to deeper themes: the transience of beauty, the layering of cultural memory, and the role of traditional craft in a globalized world.

Nicolas Auvray Gallery
is a vibrant art gallery located in Chelsea, New York. Owned by acclaimed photographer Nicolas Auvray, the gallery celebrates international artists, fosters inclusivity, and showcases the artistic visions of a wide range of artists. With its dynamic exhibitions and engaging programs, Nicolas Auvray Gallery strives to create an environment that sparks dialogue, inspires creativity, and fosters a sense of community within the art world.

Inquire for VIP preview, additional information and a catalog, please contact: info@nicolasauvraygallery.com