Let It Be

July 8th – July 31st, 2022

Curated by Yizhe Huang and Jason Clay Lewis

The Royal @ RSOAA is pleased to present Let It Be, a group exhibition curated by Yizhe Huang and Jason Clay Lewis featuring artists Li Shen, Qiao Yang, Kylin O’Brien, and Jeannie Weissglass.

In ancient Chinese Taoism, there was a saying of “governing by inaction”. It means doing nothing is actually the best doing. However, “doing nothing” does not mean doing exactly nothing. It means not intervening too much to leave more space for creativity and thus achieve self-actualization. This enables us to conform to the nature of all things, and allow things to develop freely according to their own necessity in their most natural state. Only in this way can things exist and develop healthily. If people intervene or change their natural course according to subjective desire – it will most likely lead to failure. Therefore, the Taoists believe that a wise man should adopt the way of doing nothing, and only in this way can the expected goal be achieved.

Some artists also master the art of inaction. The four artists selected for this exhibition look at their subject matter calmly as outsiders, without intervening or adding personal perspectives. They are these quiet observers who only capture and record.

However, can we say that these pieces are emotionless or impersonal?

The value of a work of art comes from the genuine feelings of its maker. People in different life stages and social environments encounter various emotions, and since art is the living carrier of an artist’s soul, these feelings will undoubtedly be captured in their works unconsciously. Moreover, art not only satisfies one’s need for expression but also helps to draw connections between artists and viewers as most of these emotions are universal – they generate resonance among each of us and some cannot even be described in words. Therefore, in each work, we can see commentary from artists, curators, and even viewers. Though on the surface, all the maker did was present.

Let It Be at RSOAA’s The Royal is the second exhibition of our transnational online exhibition project. It includes works from four quiet observers, and searches for an emotional connection that may be universal.