About

Journey from Shadows to Stars is a personal exploration portrayed through oil painting and mixed media, consisting of three artworks.

Firstly, a somber oil painting reflects the emotions endured during a period of depression. Secondly, a video documents the entire process of covering and reinterpreting the oil painting, shown in photos in this portfolio.

Finally, the transformed masterpiece portrays light and hope.

Journey from Shadows to Stars

Oil-Paint & Performance Art

The Original Painting

The painting captures the artist's darkest emotions during the 2022 lockdown in Shanghai.

Wendy, battling depression, expressed in her painting, "What happened? Lately I cry whenever I think about you."

Feeling lost and disappointed, she grappled with her own emotions, expressing a desire to chase away her old self.

The new Painting

By embracing both light and shadow, Wendy's new painting symbolizes the complexity of both positive and negative emotions in life.

As she gains a deeper understanding of herself and her emotions, her palms metaphorically fill with starlight, representing hope and resilience.

In essence, the journey to self-discovery proves to be an undeniably positive and transformative experience.

“Even in the deepest despair, there is light, there is hope.

Anticipate a shower of light and hope.

Open your palms, and you'll catch more starlight than you can imagine.”

- Wendy

Wendy sought healing through various means, with art being a significant outlet.

During her gradual recovery, confronted with a shortage of canvas due to lockdown, she ingeniously repurposed her existing work, turning a somber oil painting into a lively one as an act of closure.

The accompanying process not only documents this remarkable transformation but also encapsulates Wendy's mental journey of acknowledging, embracing, and overcoming negative feelings.

The Process

This artistic process represents Wendy's mental process of recognizing her emotions as integral to her journey of growth and self-acceptance.

Each stroke on the canvas represents a moment of darkness.