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Chang Ming Shen
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24 Season Series
The continuous cycle of spring, summer, autumn, and winter, along with the alternating yin and yang of the sun and moon, carries the ancient wisdom of the Farmer's Calendar.
The beauty of mountains and waters blends with Chang Ming Shen’s unique raindrop painting technique, gathering the rhythms of nature on the canvas. The 24 Season Series explores the wisdom of heaven and earth—the dance between yin and yang and growth and change—that helps the viewer feel the interconnected and endless cycle experienced by all living things.
Sunrise at Yushan North Peak | Sun and Moon Share the Same Light 2023–2025
As the morning sun rises in the east, the mountain peaks are bathed in golden light, while the western sky still clings to the unfallen bright moon. The sun and moon appear together in the same sky, a moment that reflects the interplay of yin and yang. This captures the time between Xiài (early morning, around 5–7 am) and Wàng (late afternoon, around 5–7 pm), when the energies of Heaven and Earth merge, revealing a rhythmic sequence of yin and yang coexisting, continuously cycling and sustaining life.
The work also responds to Hexagram 23 Splitting Apart (I Ching): "The noble person does not strengthen themselves recklessly" and "The noble person carries things with great virtue." The interplay of sunlight and shadow mirrors the cyclical nature of time and the endless renewal of life.
In the painting process, layers of raindrops build up the mountain's strength and the sea of clouds. Golden rays of light shine over the deep blue landscape, creating a grand and serene scene. In the foreground, a blooming sea of flowers spreads out, symbolizing the abundant fauna nurtured by the sun and moon rising and setting.
Scenery comes from the memories of an artist: the sunrise at Cape Niigata and the morning sun on the North Peak of Jade Mountain in Taiwan. These two beautiful scenes from memory inspire the artist, weaving distant memories and nostalgic feelings about the artist’s hometown like a fine tapestry.
Sun and Moon, Same Light is a tribute to epic nature—the interplay of yin and yang, Heaven and Earth, and the quantum universe.
The work also responds to Hexagram 23 Splitting Apart (I Ching): "The noble person does not strengthen themselves recklessly" and "The noble person carries things with great virtue." The interplay of sunlight and shadow mirrors the cyclical nature of time and the endless renewal of life.
In the painting process, layers of raindrops build up the mountain's strength and the sea of clouds. Golden rays of light shine over the deep blue landscape, creating a grand and serene scene. In the foreground, a blooming sea of flowers spreads out, symbolizing the abundant fauna nurtured by the sun and moon rising and setting.
Scenery comes from the memories of an artist: the sunrise at Cape Niigata and the morning sun on the North Peak of Jade Mountain in Taiwan. These two beautiful scenes from memory inspire the artist, weaving distant memories and nostalgic feelings about the artist’s hometown like a fine tapestry.
Sun and Moon, Same Light is a tribute to epic nature—the interplay of yin and yang, Heaven and Earth, and the quantum universe.
Spring Begins | 2021
Spring Begins marks the start of the 24 solar terms, the first of the four seasons, symbolizing the revival of life and a fresh start for all beings. After dormant winter, it is the perfect moment when everything welcomes new life. The artwork layers grains of sand and composite media, with the base subtly including the characters of Spring Begins amidst shifting light and shadow, reflecting the rhythm within the great Earth.
The green hues intertwined with highlights on the canvas, layered delicately like the lush growth of grass and wood, capture the vibrant scenery of spring. The emblem on the right side connects the artwork with the philosophy of the I Ching, hinting at the rhythm of yin giving birth to yang.
This work utilizes techniques like raindrop reflections and sprays to build a complex, layered structure spanning 26 levels, echoing the periodic changes of the seasons and symbolizing the restoration of the cosmic cycle.
Serving as the opening piece of the series, Spring Begins depicts the ancient humans’ observations of Heaven and Earth, dividing the year into spring, summer, autumn, and winter based on the eight trigrams of earlier times. It forms the foundation of agricultural seasons and life cycles. Thus, Spring Begins also records the power of initial awakening and growth.
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The Four Seasons series explores the 24 solar terms, with Spring Begins, Summer Begins, Autumn Begins, and Winter Begins as its foundation, symbolizing the start and transitions of the four seasons. These are not only key time markers in the agricultural society but also reflections of cosmic rhythms. Using the layered raindrop painting technique, combined with shapes and text, the work merges ancient Dao wisdom with contemporary forms of expression. The four canvases respond to the natural cycle of renewal and echo the periodic changes in life and time, forming a visual feast centered on the rhythms and wisdom of Heaven and Earth.
The green hues intertwined with highlights on the canvas, layered delicately like the lush growth of grass and wood, capture the vibrant scenery of spring. The emblem on the right side connects the artwork with the philosophy of the I Ching, hinting at the rhythm of yin giving birth to yang.
This work utilizes techniques like raindrop reflections and sprays to build a complex, layered structure spanning 26 levels, echoing the periodic changes of the seasons and symbolizing the restoration of the cosmic cycle.
Serving as the opening piece of the series, Spring Begins depicts the ancient humans’ observations of Heaven and Earth, dividing the year into spring, summer, autumn, and winter based on the eight trigrams of earlier times. It forms the foundation of agricultural seasons and life cycles. Thus, Spring Begins also records the power of initial awakening and growth.
___
The Four Seasons series explores the 24 solar terms, with Spring Begins, Summer Begins, Autumn Begins, and Winter Begins as its foundation, symbolizing the start and transitions of the four seasons. These are not only key time markers in the agricultural society but also reflections of cosmic rhythms. Using the layered raindrop painting technique, combined with shapes and text, the work merges ancient Dao wisdom with contemporary forms of expression. The four canvases respond to the natural cycle of renewal and echo the periodic changes in life and time, forming a visual feast centered on the rhythms and wisdom of Heaven and Earth.
Summer Begins ｜2021
Summer Begins depicts the official start of the summer season, as the land gradually heats up and all living things stretch out comfortably under the sunlight. It signals a time full of vitality, maturity, and new beginnings—a peak time for farmers. The work features layers of bright green and golden hues intertwined, depicting the sun casting its warm glow over the Earth. Hidden at the bottom of the painting is the inscription "Beginning of Summer", alongside a symbol, echoing the grand natural rhythm described in the I Ching: the waxing and waning of yin and yang—an endless cycle.
The dazzling interplay of colors and light reveals the vibrant life force of all living things. This moment marks not only the peak of the farming season but also a crucial phase in the Earth's energy cycle, when careful balance and rhythm are required amidst the sweltering heat to avoid burnout and maintain well-being. When the sun shines brightest and life flourishes, it also carries the wisdom of regulation and equilibrium. Thus, Summer Begins carries with it the ancient wisdom of moderation and harmony, reminding us of the importance of balancing opposing forces as the seasons shift.
___
The Four Seasons series explores the 24 solar terms, with Spring Begins, Summer Begins, Autumn Begins, and Winter Begins as its foundation, symbolizing the start and transitions of the four seasons. These are not only key time markers in the agricultural society but also reflections of cosmic rhythms. Using the layered raindrop painting technique, combined with shapes and text, the work merges ancient Dao wisdom with contemporary forms of expression. The four canvases respond to the natural cycle of renewal and echo the periodic changes in life and time, forming a visual feast centered on the rhythms and wisdom of Heaven and Earth.
The dazzling interplay of colors and light reveals the vibrant life force of all living things. This moment marks not only the peak of the farming season but also a crucial phase in the Earth's energy cycle, when careful balance and rhythm are required amidst the sweltering heat to avoid burnout and maintain well-being. When the sun shines brightest and life flourishes, it also carries the wisdom of regulation and equilibrium. Thus, Summer Begins carries with it the ancient wisdom of moderation and harmony, reminding us of the importance of balancing opposing forces as the seasons shift.
___
The Four Seasons series explores the 24 solar terms, with Spring Begins, Summer Begins, Autumn Begins, and Winter Begins as its foundation, symbolizing the start and transitions of the four seasons. These are not only key time markers in the agricultural society but also reflections of cosmic rhythms. Using the layered raindrop painting technique, combined with shapes and text, the work merges ancient Dao wisdom with contemporary forms of expression. The four canvases respond to the natural cycle of renewal and echo the periodic changes in life and time, forming a visual feast centered on the rhythms and wisdom of Heaven and Earth.
Autumn Begins | 2021
Autumn Begins marks the start of the harvest season. As the summer heat slowly fades and the first hints of chill appear, all living things enter a phase of harvest and storage. The artwork layers burnt orange, yellow, and green hues, signifying a subtle transition to cooler days. Hidden in the background is the inscription "Beginning of Autumn" in Chinese alongside its English translation, symbolizing the natural rhythm described in the I Ching: yang energy gradually wanes while yin energy steadily grows.
This is the season of the harvest, a moment when energy is gathered and stored. Through vibrant twists and layers of color, the artwork Autumn Begins encapsulates the act of collection and preservation, crystallizing this energy on the canvas. Autumn Begins also symbolizes the power behind "rich and treasured harvests."
___
The Four Seasons series explores the 24 solar terms, with Spring Begins, Summer Begins, Autumn Begins, and Winter Begins as its foundation, symbolizing the start and transitions of the four seasons. These are not only key time markers in the agricultural society but also reflections of cosmic rhythms. Using the layered raindrop painting technique, combined with shapes and text, the work merges ancient Dao wisdom with contemporary forms of expression. The four canvases respond to the natural cycle of renewal and echo the periodic changes in life and time, forming a visual feast centered on the rhythms and wisdom of Heaven and Earth.
This is the season of the harvest, a moment when energy is gathered and stored. Through vibrant twists and layers of color, the artwork Autumn Begins encapsulates the act of collection and preservation, crystallizing this energy on the canvas. Autumn Begins also symbolizes the power behind "rich and treasured harvests."
___
The Four Seasons series explores the 24 solar terms, with Spring Begins, Summer Begins, Autumn Begins, and Winter Begins as its foundation, symbolizing the start and transitions of the four seasons. These are not only key time markers in the agricultural society but also reflections of cosmic rhythms. Using the layered raindrop painting technique, combined with shapes and text, the work merges ancient Dao wisdom with contemporary forms of expression. The four canvases respond to the natural cycle of renewal and echo the periodic changes in life and time, forming a visual feast centered on the rhythms and wisdom of Heaven and Earth.
Winter Begins | 2021
Winter Begins depicts the start of the cold season, when all living things retreat and energies are conserved. The artwork mainly features deep blue-purple and gray-white tones, with layers building up like snow steadily piling across the vast land. The background subtly incorporates the "Beginning of Winter" inscription and its symbolic meanings. It reflects the yin energy gradually rising and the yang energy beginning to wane, which corresponds to the rhythms described in the I Ching.
The start of winter is when the severe cold sets in, marking the stage where new life energy is stored and prepared. Through the colors and textural layers in the work, the silent and hidden qualities embodied by Winter Begins are brought to life, symbolizing the quiet, powerful process of preparation and transformation. All living things retreat to their primordial dormancy, quietly gathering strength, ready for the emergence of new life.
___
The Four Seasons series explores the 24 solar terms, with Spring Begins, Summer Begins, Autumn Begins, and Winter Begins as its foundation, symbolizing the start and transitions of the four seasons. These are not only key time markers in the agricultural society but also reflections of cosmic rhythms. Using the layered raindrop painting technique, combined with shapes and text, the work merges ancient Dao wisdom with contemporary forms of expression. The four canvases respond to the natural cycle of renewal and echo the periodic changes in life and time, forming a visual feast centered on the rhythms and wisdom of Heaven and Earth.
The start of winter is when the severe cold sets in, marking the stage where new life energy is stored and prepared. Through the colors and textural layers in the work, the silent and hidden qualities embodied by Winter Begins are brought to life, symbolizing the quiet, powerful process of preparation and transformation. All living things retreat to their primordial dormancy, quietly gathering strength, ready for the emergence of new life.
___
The Four Seasons series explores the 24 solar terms, with Spring Begins, Summer Begins, Autumn Begins, and Winter Begins as its foundation, symbolizing the start and transitions of the four seasons. These are not only key time markers in the agricultural society but also reflections of cosmic rhythms. Using the layered raindrop painting technique, combined with shapes and text, the work merges ancient Dao wisdom with contemporary forms of expression. The four canvases respond to the natural cycle of renewal and echo the periodic changes in life and time, forming a visual feast centered on the rhythms and wisdom of Heaven and Earth.
Spring Equinox | 2023
Chunfen (Spring Equinox) is one of the 24 solar terms, marking the moment when day and night are evenly split, with the yin and yang forces perfectly balanced. Spring thunder has already rolled in, awakening all living things deeply nestled in the Earth. At this time, the lively and fresh energy of both Heaven and Earth unfolds more clearly, signaling nature's full awakening.
The work weaves together layers of green and pastel shades, with the base subtly engraved with the characters and motifs of Spring Equinox, echoing the imagery from the I Ching’s Thunder above Heaven, signifying a phase of vigorous growth and strong yang energy, where great power is available but must be guided wisely. The vibrant colors pile up like grass and trees breaking through the soil and the budding branches at the start of spring, reflecting the awakening vitality of all living things.
Spring Equinox carries the energy of hope and growth, symbolizing budding flowers and rising vitality, while conveying a continuous force of renewal and upward momentum.
The work weaves together layers of green and pastel shades, with the base subtly engraved with the characters and motifs of Spring Equinox, echoing the imagery from the I Ching’s Thunder above Heaven, signifying a phase of vigorous growth and strong yang energy, where great power is available but must be guided wisely. The vibrant colors pile up like grass and trees breaking through the soil and the budding branches at the start of spring, reflecting the awakening vitality of all living things.
Spring Equinox carries the energy of hope and growth, symbolizing budding flowers and rising vitality, while conveying a continuous force of renewal and upward momentum.
Autumn Equinox | 2023
Autumn Equinox is one of the 24 solar terms, marking the balance between daylight and night, where the sun and moon reach a brief equilibrium. At this time, the heat of summer fades away, the chill of autumn gradually sets in, and all living things enter a season of harvest and gathering.
Autumn Equinox features gold and scarlet as its main tones, layering to create a rich, transformative texture reminiscent of a vast landscape. Within the artwork is subtly engraved the character for Autumn Equinox and its associated symbol, echoing the imagery from the classic I Ching hexagram Wind over Earth. The colors intertwine to vividly express the season's dynamic energy of abundance.
The energy contained in Harvest and Abundance, referenced in Autumn Equinox, symbolizes the accumulation and the deepening of wisdom, representing harmony and fulfillment.
Autumn Equinox features gold and scarlet as its main tones, layering to create a rich, transformative texture reminiscent of a vast landscape. Within the artwork is subtly engraved the character for Autumn Equinox and its associated symbol, echoing the imagery from the classic I Ching hexagram Wind over Earth. The colors intertwine to vividly express the season's dynamic energy of abundance.
The energy contained in Harvest and Abundance, referenced in Autumn Equinox, symbolizes the accumulation and the deepening of wisdom, representing harmony and fulfillment.
Summer Solstice | 2023
Summer Solstice celebrates the peak of the sun’s power during the 24 solar terms, symbolizing the ultimate display of light and life. At this time, the days are longest, and all living things thrive under the blazing sunlight, bursting with vibrant energy.
Three bright red circular shapes form the composition, symbolizing the three blazing suns from the I Ching. They resemble three suns in a row, vividly expressing intense heat and light. The background, painted in vibrant greens and dotted with yellow, depicts the summer world’s proud vitality and bursting energy. At the bottom of the painting lies a hidden hexagram, the Heavenly Wind Gou hexagram from I Ching, representing the transition from yang energy and reaching its peak yin energy.
Summer Solstice is full of exuberance and vitality, with energy as dazzling as summer and as boundless as life itself.
Three bright red circular shapes form the composition, symbolizing the three blazing suns from the I Ching. They resemble three suns in a row, vividly expressing intense heat and light. The background, painted in vibrant greens and dotted with yellow, depicts the summer world’s proud vitality and bursting energy. At the bottom of the painting lies a hidden hexagram, the Heavenly Wind Gou hexagram from I Ching, representing the transition from yang energy and reaching its peak yin energy.
Summer Solstice is full of exuberance and vitality, with energy as dazzling as summer and as boundless as life itself.
Winter Solstice | 2023
Winter Solstice celebrates the shortest daylight and longest night of the 24 solar terms, a moment when yin energy reaches its peak and yang energy begins to rise. During this festival, nature is dormant, gathering its strength for the oncoming transformation.
The work centers on deep shades of blue and gray, capturing the quietude and chill of a winter day teeming with life. The composition features three vertically aligned circles; the lower ones are deep blue and nearly black spheres, echoing the totems of Di Lei Fu in the Yijing (I Ching), symbolizing the peak of yin energy and hinting at the rising yang force. The hidden totems within the spheres, along with the text at the bottom of the piece, allude to the ancient Daoist philosophy from Dao De Jing that everything will turn into its opposite when it reaches its extreme. This phrase emphasizes this cycle and the transformations that are central to Eastern wisdom.
Winter Solstice captures a burst of energy about to transform in the midst of extreme cold and silence. The deepest shades, much like the turning points of yin and yang in a Tai Chi diagram, subtly conceal the life force of spring soon to arrive.
Winter Solstice symbolizes the energy of transformation and rebirth, embracing the moments after introspection and decline, with the dawn of new opportunities and revival soon to be welcomed.
The work centers on deep shades of blue and gray, capturing the quietude and chill of a winter day teeming with life. The composition features three vertically aligned circles; the lower ones are deep blue and nearly black spheres, echoing the totems of Di Lei Fu in the Yijing (I Ching), symbolizing the peak of yin energy and hinting at the rising yang force. The hidden totems within the spheres, along with the text at the bottom of the piece, allude to the ancient Daoist philosophy from Dao De Jing that everything will turn into its opposite when it reaches its extreme. This phrase emphasizes this cycle and the transformations that are central to Eastern wisdom.
Winter Solstice captures a burst of energy about to transform in the midst of extreme cold and silence. The deepest shades, much like the turning points of yin and yang in a Tai Chi diagram, subtly conceal the life force of spring soon to arrive.
Winter Solstice symbolizes the energy of transformation and rebirth, embracing the moments after introspection and decline, with the dawn of new opportunities and revival soon to be welcomed.
Waking of Insects | 2023
Waking of Insects (驚蟄) symbolizes the moment when the first spring thunder sounds and the Earth awakens. From this moment, all beings begin to stir; life within the Earth seeks the chance to break forth from the soil, sprouting and flourishing, heralding a new vitality.
The artwork is composed of finely layered particles, which create an atmosphere reminiscent of mountains and rivers, yet the abstract lines also represent the pulse of nature. The Chinese character Qingzhe (Waking of Insects) and hexagrams are hidden within the painting, representing the awakening of Heaven and Earth.
Waking of Insects conveys the energy of initiation and dynamism, symbolizing the latent forces poised to burst forth and embodying the promise of new life.
The artwork is composed of finely layered particles, which create an atmosphere reminiscent of mountains and rivers, yet the abstract lines also represent the pulse of nature. The Chinese character Qingzhe (Waking of Insects) and hexagrams are hidden within the painting, representing the awakening of Heaven and Earth.
Waking of Insects conveys the energy of initiation and dynamism, symbolizing the latent forces poised to burst forth and embodying the promise of new life.
Frost Descent｜2023
Frost Descent is the final of the 24 solar terms; it neither fully belongs to autumn nor has it officially entered winter, existing instead at a moment of transition and boundary. The atmosphere of the work thus has an ambiguity and an ethereal vitality.
The composition is based upon a palette of cold, austere greys and blues, with layers of fine particles accumulating on top of one another, resembling frost covering the land and undulating mountain ridges.
During the creative process, the artist allowed inspiration to manifest naturally through successive layering of color, intensity, and texture, depicting a profoundly beautiful landscape. As Zhuangzi observed, “Heaven and Earth possess great beauty, yet do not speak.” The poetic mood within the work embraces this silent majesty.
Frost Descent embodies the energy of clarity and revelation; the seemingly bleak season conceals within it opportunities for transformation and rebirth, symbolizing the arrival of inspiration and the enlightenment of Heaven and Earth.
The composition is based upon a palette of cold, austere greys and blues, with layers of fine particles accumulating on top of one another, resembling frost covering the land and undulating mountain ridges.
During the creative process, the artist allowed inspiration to manifest naturally through successive layering of color, intensity, and texture, depicting a profoundly beautiful landscape. As Zhuangzi observed, “Heaven and Earth possess great beauty, yet do not speak.” The poetic mood within the work embraces this silent majesty.
Frost Descent embodies the energy of clarity and revelation; the seemingly bleak season conceals within it opportunities for transformation and rebirth, symbolizing the arrival of inspiration and the enlightenment of Heaven and Earth.
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