Byroads, A Time Odyssey

Commissioned by the National Palace Museum of Taipei, YANG Chung-Ming created A Dream of Wandering in a Garden, inspired by Ming and Qing dynasty prints. Immersed in the museum's rare collections, YANG was captivated by the intricate interplay of classic literature and complex themes of love in Chinese opera. He deconstructed and reimagined the relationship between text and image, particularly drawn to the scene "Peeking Through the Screen" in Chen Hongshou's Romance of the Western Chamber. Yang recomposed seasonal landscapes into the scene, conveying the dramatic highs and lows of love across eras. He also included fluttering butterflies, symbolizing the romantic notion that unfulfilled love transforms into butterflies.