Lin Shih Yung, Breath of Apparent Motion-4, 2022

Acrylic on canvas
66 x 120.5 cm
Condition: Very good

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Lin Shih-Yung (Taiwanese, b. 1982) was born in Hsinchu, Taiwan. At 25, he returned home to start over. His early works awakened memories he had been unwilling to face—childhood experiences shaped by frequent relocations. Forced to adapt to new environments, he matured quickly under the weight of strict family expectations. These pressures left him feeling alienated in an absurd world. Over time, he learned to coexist with his darker emotions, using painting to reconcile his past. For him, family remains an inescapable burden, and each past experience continues to hold deep significance.

Graduating from the Art Education and Creative Research Institute at Hsinchu University of Education, Lin Shih-Yung has become a recognised figure in Taiwan's photorealistic oil painting scene, known for his distinctive style, symbolic imagery, and character-driven compositions.

In the Breath of Apparent Motion series, he explores the forces of nature and human existence through ghostly, shifting forms. Movement—seen in ritual smoke, tree branches, flowing blood, and seepage—creates a dialogue between stillness and motion, allowing spirits to drift within the scenes. His works reflect connections between individuals, their loved ones, and the land. Through layered acrylic textures, worn surfaces eventually settle into a quiet state, becoming the protective spirit of Property Guardian.

(Photographed in March 2025)