Ju-Yi Chia: Fragments of Time

"Fragments of Time: In an Instant, We Become Aware of Ourselves."
March 19–April 13, 2025, at Ararat Art Partners, Taichung

As time flows, objects and I merge and dissolve in the act of creation. The brushwork moves between wildness and tranquility, mirroring the soul’s currents. The wind stirs, light and shadow shift, and gravel whispers beneath my feet. In a fleeting moment, all things and I converge, dissolving into the infinite void.

Fragments of Time explores the dialogue between humans and nature within fleeting moments, while simultaneously reflecting the individual’s inner exploration. In Juyi’s work, enigmatic symbols echo the essence of Abstract Expressionism. Through layered lines and colors, her work captures fleeting energy, interweaving dialogues between consciousness and the subconscious. Brushstrokes interweave through layers of movement and transformation, shaping a dynamic and evolving visual realm that oscillates between geometric order and intuitive spontaneity, ultimately drawing the viewer into a space of wandering, immersion, and transformation.

The exhibition presents two core themes:
・The Imagery of Nature—Natural landscapes dissolve into spiritual visions, where figurative forms break apart and reassemble into abstraction. Brushstrokes trace the trembling pulse of the soul. Colors diffuse like mist, resonating the pulse of the ever-changing cosmos.
・The Imagery of Human Figures—A visual exploration of the dialogue between the Ego and the Shadow, embodying the interplay of the conscious and unconscious mind. Psychologist Carl Jung once stated that the shadow is the “inner self,” concealed beneath consciousness. Through art, Juyi seeks to engage with this hidden dimension of existence.

Fragments of Time invites viewers to step into a world between reality and illusion, to experience the flow of time, to connect with nature in fleeting moments, to engage in a profound dialogue with the self, and to reflect, contemplate, and immerse themselves in the moment.


Exhibition Dates:
March 19 – April 13, 2025
1:30 PM – 6:00 PM | Free Admission

Opening Event:
Saturday, March 22, 2025
3:00 PM – Artist Talk with Ju-Yi Chia

Venue:
Ararat Art Partners
403 Gongyi Rd, West District, Taichung

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Fragments of Time: The Creative Process and Conceptual Framework

The inner soul stirs, yearning to break free—to run, to leap—only to return, inevitably, to tranquility. Within this quietude, the external world seeps into my being, and stillness resonates within. In each moment of creation, the boundary between self and matter dissolves, leaving only the murmurs of the wind, the shifting trails of sunlight, and the soft rustle of brushstrokes against the canvas. Standing upon scattered stones, I merge with all things, dissolving into the boundless void.

As brushstrokes glide, bend, and fall, images emerge through a rhythm of repetition and transformation. Something intangible smolders within—a restless energy burning beneath the surface, unfolding into a vivid spectacle. Swaying branches break apart into dazzling flecks of color, the shifting sun dissolves into geometric narratives, while the human figure drifts through an imagined void, engaged in silent dialogue with another self.

Juyi’s work unfolds within a realm of enigmatic symbols, embodying the essence of Abstract Expressionism. Her brushstrokes move with instinctive spontaneity, yet never collapse into chaos—they are guided by inner perception and deliberate intent. At times, lines surge with untamed energy; at others, they are tempered by quiet restraint. Colors build upon one another—diffusing, dissolving, or converging into a rhythmic intensity.

The act of painting is an exploration—an evolving dialogue between geometric order and organic flow. Brushstrokes and pigments interact on the canvas—at times guided by intention, at others unfolding through spontaneity. They merge, collide, and transform, creating a rhythm that emerges not from external representation but from the material itself.

Jackson Pollock once said that a painting has a life of its own. Juyi’s work embodies this idea—not as a depiction of the external world, nor as a deliberate projection of the inner self, but as something that naturally unfolds through the act of painting. The material—paint, brushstrokes, layers—is not merely a medium but a vessel for the artist’s spirit.

Through cycles of creation and erasure, each layer builds not only visual depth but also the essence of the soul. Painting is more than composing forms—it is the unfolding of inner consciousness, a dialogue between matter and spirit, where the canvas becomes an extension of the self, imbued with its own presence.
Pollock once said, “Painting is a state of being… a process of self-discovery.” Juyi’s work embodies this philosophy—an introspective journey that also mirrors the intricate interplay between the self and nature. Through time, we awaken to ourselves; within nature, we dissolve into its vastness. As we drift through the ever-changing currents of existence, the quiet murmur of the soul lingers within.

The exhibition presents two core themes:
・The Imagery of Nature—Natural landscapes dissolve into spiritual visions, where figurative forms fracture and reassemble into abstraction. Brushstrokes move with an inner rhythm, while mist-like colors echo the ever-shifting cosmos.
・The Imagery of Human Figures—A visual exploration of the dialogue between the Ego and the Shadow—an interplay of the conscious and unconscious mind. Psychologist Carl Jung once stated that the shadow is the “inner self,” concealed beneath consciousness. Through her work, Juyi seeks to engage with this hidden dimension of existence.

Painting is more than an act of self-expression; it is an invitation—an invitation for viewers to enter a realm between reality and illusion, to experience the interplay of time, nature, and self-awareness. In this visual field, time is no longer linear; it is folded, layered, and reconstructed. One may gaze into a moment from the past or glimpse a reflection of the future. Within these fragments of time, nature whispers, the soul stirs, and reflections unfold in silence.