“As long as I’m here, it won’t disappear.” – A-Li’s Brush
4-July-2025
26-July-2025
A-Li’s Brush: Bearing Witness to Memory
In the hands of A-Li (Yu Ssu-Ying), a paintbrush is more than just an artistic tool—it’s a key that unlocks the door to local memory. Her works capture the vibrant noise of traditional markets, the drifting incense of temple courtyards, and the echoes of time within the bricks and tiles of old houses. Within her art lies the warmth of everyday Taiwanese life, as well as the deeper layers of cultural memory. Though still young, A-Li's creations command profound respect—because with each stroke, she preserves the fading yet very real essence of local life.
She once said, “As long as I’m here, it won’t disappear.” This statement feels less like a slogan and more like a tender yet steadfast promise—a promise to Taiwan, to culture, to memory itself. As long as A-Li continues to create, the memory of this land continues to be passed on.
Those who have accompanied her through local markets or historic sites like the Lin Family Garden have seen how she works: one hand holding herbal drinks lovingly prepared by her mother, the other swiftly opening her tools, mixing colors, and laying down the first lines. In her hands, cultural relics are brought back to life on paper—vivid, spirited, and deeply alive. Each brushstroke is a conversation with the land, a record of cultural essence.
She often laughs and says, “It feels less like I’m holding an exhibition, and more like I’m promoting local culture!” And indeed, what she captures is the very charm of daily life: waking up to freshly made soy milk and fried dough sticks, while the nearby vendors shout familiar refrains—“You’ve got to peel the cabbage before weighing it!” “Pick the tender end of the bamboo shoot!” “Buying so much today? I’ll toss in some extra chilies and scallions!” These voices are the music of everyday life—and key characters in her art.
A-Li is not what some might call an “old soul.” She is a bright, youthful artist with keen eyes for the evolution and disappearance of tradition in modern life. Her work is both profound and tender, expressing a deep appreciation for fleeting cultural moments. Her choice of tools and techniques reflects that same originality—using herbal plant stems as brushes, grounding her work in the ink-wash tradition, while combining refined watercolor techniques with an unrestrained creative vocabulary. These elements come together to form a distinct and recognizable artistic identity.
She transcends the boundaries of sketching, watercolor, and plein air painting. A-Li is a rare talent in contemporary art: a creator with a unique voice and a powerful artistic presence. Her brush does more than depict—it preserves, celebrates, and speaks on behalf of local culture and our collective memory.
Dates｜July 4 (Fri.) – July 26 (Sat.), 2025
Hours｜10:00 AM – 12:00 PM / 1:00 PM – 6:00 PM (Closed on Sundays & Mondays)
Venue｜KAI'S Gallery No. 7, Lane 16, Songjiang Rd., Zhongshan Dist., Taipei City (1F)