Every artist caught in the whirlwind of historical events tries to find a way to heal. The Covid-19 pandemic and governmental controls seemingly stole three years from the lives of Chinese people. Each person, every day, was called out, had a swab thrust into their throat, and had their emotions masked, forcing them to find self-comfort.

This exhibition, titled "The Spring Concealed by the Divine", is artist Lin Yusi’s response to this period. The seasons during the pandemic seemed to be hidden by divine forces—through vibrant colors and brushwork, he aims to convey his thoughts, joy, and peace, and return those hidden springs to the audiences through his paintings. Starting this exhibition at the cusp of spring and summer in Delft, we hope to bring a unique artistic atmosphere to this city. This is also the first official exhibition of the 60 Cent Gallery.

Lin Yusi uses his creations to vent and voice his thoughts on social issues. Although he was initially trained in traditional Chinese painting, the works he presents—rabbits and flowers—utilize the most traditional Chinese painting techniques. Yet, his expression is entirely in the language of contemporary visual art.

The rabbits he depicts are not just the typical cute and docile figures. Some are thoughtful, some are sad, some are angry, and some are crying. Over the past few years, due to the pandemic and wars, Lin Yusi's fluctuating emotions are expressed through these rabbits. He also mentions that as his two sons have grown over the years, his paintings increasingly reflect observations of their conflicts and competitions.

The floral works in the exhibition were all created during the lockdowns when he was confined at home and expressed his emotions through social media. You can see the exuberance in his brushstrokes, which conveys encouragement and comfort. Through his silent visuals, he addresses social issues and soothes his followers.

Why insist on using traditional brushes, ink, paper, and inkstone to express contemporary conditions? This stems from Lin Yusi's mastery of artistic language. He chose a method that requires intense control and disciplined training to express a restrained, sincere, and candid love for the world. He has to contend with the unique medium he chose — unprocessed/raw Xuan paper, which easily causes bleeding effects from various liquids and pigments; struggle against the soft brush's control over the lines; and restrain the loudness of fluorescent colors in traditional ink tones. Yet, with the most accessible contemporary visuals, he allows audiences to taste the sweetness he offers. This is perhaps the artist’s battle within his own artistic world. It may seem calm and slow, but it strives to present the rainbow after the rain and the gentle breeze under the warm sunlight.