Jianghan Nie
works
photography
Torii
Svyatoy Ozero
Beneath the roofs
Unspoken
Mirage
Falconry
Introduction
inchesSprat lacquer, Acrylic on canvas
31.5*23.5
This painting is inspired by my deep reflections after studying a series of genetics courses. I use lines to simulate human tissues and internal structures, attempting to present the complexity of life, while colors express temperature changes to depict the subtle interactions between these elements. By adopting a molecular genetics perspective, the world appears in a new light, offering fresh explanations for all the confusion that once troubled us. Through this lens, I observed how genes influence diseases, gender inequality, menstruation, and education levels and how these factors affect others. The unequal starting points people are born with subtly permeate their lives, like a damp drizzle, quietly shaping their paths. Through this work, I aim to provoke thought about the relationship between genes, society, fate, and the individual, exploring the seemingly insignificant yet omnipresent forces that shape our lives.
Sprat lacquer, Acrylic marker, Acrylic on canvas
47.2*31.5 inches
This abstract painting is inspired by Tibetan Buddhist pilgrimage rituals, aiming to express the "friction in pursuit." In religious devotion and the relentless pursuit of excellence, there exists a smooth yet frictional tension. Using an airbrush to blur the edges of color blocks, I created a foam-like friction to reflect the complex interaction between individuals and their environment, as well as between self and others. The bubbles in the work symbolize comfort zones and protective layers—providing ease, yet creating separation. They are made of a gas mixture of helplessness and hope, like self-imposed cocoons, yet they can dissipate into smoke at any moment. Floating in the air, bubbles press against and collide with each other, eventually bursting due to friction, symbolizing the fragility and fluidity of existence. The work explores how the boundaries and changes within these bubbles affect the self, others, society, and even the world.
2023
Pencil, Charcoal on paper
21.5*15 inches
This sketch depicts the image of a Vajra (King Kong) I saw in a temple in Shanxi. The Kong’s gaze is exceptionally sharp, staring directly outside the frame, creating a strong sense of oppression. His deep and unwavering eyes seem to pierce through everything, instantly imposing a powerful, undeniable force. Through delicate lines and contrasts of light and shadow, I strive to capture the authority and strength in his gaze, conveying the immense presence of the deity. Viewing this work, I am reminded of the smallness and fragility of life. The Vajra’s fearless gaze seems to remind us that, no matter how hard we strive, we cannot escape the limitations and impermanence of existence. Through this sketch, I aim not only to express the shock of the Vajra’s power, but also to provoke deep reflection on the meaning of life and existence.
2023
Ink, Quartz sand, Acrylic on canvas
31.5*31.5 inches
This painting was created after my study of traditional mud-panel painting at the Dunhuang Academy, using traditional Chinese techniques with mud and quartz sand. The lotus, symbolizing purity and nobility, is the central theme. In Chinese culture, the lotus represents maintaining purity in a complex world, growing from mud yet blooming clean. In Buddhism, it signifies enlightenment, while Confucianism and Daoism link it to high moral integrity. By combining traditional techniques with unique textures, I aimed to express both the lotus’s layers and its cultural significance in Chinese society. This piece explores both the traditional medium and the modern relevance of the lotus as a symbol of purity and integrity.
Oil painting stick, Acrylic on canvas
27,5*53.5 inches
Intangible Dream symbolizes a state of existence waiting to be broken, exploring how contemporary individuals, who feel alienated, can regain their subjectivity. In the painting, the bird struggles in the air, unable to land, representing how people race along predetermined life paths yet often neglect the present moment and their true feelings. It reflects how individuals lose connection with themselves and others under societal and systemic control, and how, after breaking free from these limitations, they canreconnect with their surroundings to find a foothold in life and develop social and political subjectivity. To convey this theme, I used vibrant colors and distorted lines to create an environment filled with constraints and oppression. The contrast and gradient colors enhance the visual impact, suggesting that individuals must break through societal rules and systemic restrictions to find opportunities for renewal.
2024
Pencil, Charcoal on paper
15*21.5 inches
This sketch depicts a machine part I discovered by chance, abandoned in the soil of my backyard, using fine detailing techniques. Through meticulous lines, I separate the part from its surrounding space, symbolizing the passage of time and the decomposing effect of the earth on the object. Each stroke in the work strives to capture the details and texture of the machine part, while the lines not only build a sense of spatial depth visually but also metaphorically represent the erosion of human-made objects by time and nature. The piece explores the relationship between objects, time, and the environment, reflecting the overlooked details and potential transformations in our everyday lives.
2024
Oil paint, Acrylic on canvas
23.5 *31.5 inches
This oil painting is inspired by Plato's Allegory of the Cave, with a mountainous landscape in the background. Through the strongcontrast of cool and warm colors and sharp spatial divisions, I aim to represent the limited perception and narrow perspectives of humanity. The cool tones symbolize reason and abstraction, while the warm tones represent emotion and reality. The clash of colors highlights the ideological conflict of duality and reflects the struggle individuals face in their search for truth. Additionally, the piece embodies humanity's longing for "truth" and "reality." In today's age of social media and information overload, individuals are bound by fragmented knowledge, making it difficult to break free from established frameworks and discover the truth about themselves and society. Through this painting, I hope to inspire viewers to transcend their limitations and pursue deeper truths and broader perspectives.
2024
Watercolor, Pen on paper
20*27.5 inches
This watercolor painting depicts three ballet poses I performed, with the dancers' gazes directed outside the frame, expressing a sense of power and aggression in female dancers. The work aims to break traditional stereotypes of female dancers and imbue them with more strength and presence. I used blue and purple hues to create blending effects, combining the fluidity of color with the dancers' movements, adding depth and dynamism to the composition. The gradient of blue and purple symbolizes the release of the dancers' inner strength and emotional flow, contrasting with their determined gazes. This reflects the multifaceted nature of female dancers—both graceful in form and powerful in execution. Through this technique, I seek to portray the independence, confidence, and resilience of women breaking free from traditional constraints.
2024
Oil paint, Sprat lacquer, Acrylic on canvas
19.7*19.7 inches
This painting, through the symbol of the "Ouroboros," combines a snake, an hourglass, butterflies, and twisted lines, with deep purple, pink, and orange hues, to explore the concept of "infinity" in physics. The snake, encircling itself, forms an endless cycle, symbolizing the eternity of time and life. The hourglass suggests the flow and limitation of time, while the butterfly represents change and the fleeting nature of life. These elements reflect the constant motion and cycles within the universe, reminding us of time's finite and transient nature. The twisted lines intertwine these symbols, signifying the inherent similarity and self-similarity between the microcosmic world of atoms and the macrocosmic universe. Through these symbolic elements, the painting expresses the infinity and cyclical nature of the universe, inviting the viewer to reflect on how time, space, and life intertwine and continue across different scales.
2024
Pencil, Charcoal on paper
21.5*31 inches
This painting captures the paintbox that has accompanied me for a long time. It is not just a simple tool, but more like a friend—an indispensable part of my creative process. The work uses delicate lines to capture every tiny detail on the box. Through the gradation of shadows and the depiction of texture, I aim to express the paintbox’s quality of being both ordinary and full of infinite possibilities. It traces the tacit understanding and intimate relationship between the paintbox and me during the creative process, allowing the viewer to sense its important role in my artistic world.
Installation