Art by Cai

My art serves as a journal of my emotional experiences. As a figurative oil painter, I delve into the complexities of human interaction and the contrasting realities of closeness and loneliness. Central to my work are themes of isolation, desire, and loss, reflecting the deeply rooted human need for connection. Through dynamic gestures, repeating figures, and intertwined body parts, I aim to convey energy, engagement, and vitality. Simultaneously, my use of color evokes feelings of decay, disconnection, and a clawing desperation. Hands are a recurring motif in my work, as I believe they are powerful conveyors of emotion. I amplify their expressive potential through exaggerated colors to further emphasize my themes. We are inherently social beings, and one of the most profound and painful emotions is loneliness. My paintings depict clusters of figures in search of intimacy—grasping, reaching, and struggling to connect. This overwhelming desire for closeness is both consuming and relentless. The entangled forms in my work push and pull against one another, embodying the tension of longing and withdrawal. Loneliness, as I see it, is a persistent internal isolation that can endure even in the most crowded spaces. My work explores this cycle of rumination and disconnection, questioning how we forge meaningful connections in today's fragmented world. Ultimately, my art reflects the universal human desire to be seen, understood, and accepted.