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    Painting, figure wearing a long red dress, lemur in foreground
    Caption
    A World Beyond no.2, Jiarui Athena Li/ 李佳睿, 2023, acrylic on canvas

    ©the artist

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    Painting, woman in green dress, small people playing golf on dress, animals in background
    Caption
    A World Beyond no.1, Jiarui Athena Li 李佳睿, 2023, acrylic on canvas

    ©the artist

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    Landscape in foreground, large figure of a woman at the back
    Caption
    A World Beyond no.3, Jiarui Athena Li 李佳睿, 2022, acrylic on linen

    ©the artist

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    Painting, lemur in foreground, woman swinging on branch in background
    Caption
    A World Beyond no.6, Jiarui Athena Li 李佳睿, 2023, acrylic on canvas

    ©the artist

Jiarui Athena Li / 李佳睿 – MA/MFA/PhD

Based London/Beijing

In my work I strive to delve into the depths of timeless emotional truths that permeate our existence amidst a tumultuous and ever-changing world. Rather than seeking to convey specific concepts, my intention is to navigate, depict, and harmonise timeless contradictions. It is through the lens of empathy and an animistic perspective that the disparate symbols on the canvas converge, allowing these opposing titans to find solace in one another's embrace.

I believe it is imperative to honour and respect every living being and every aspect of our world. In my art, animals and humans share equal prominence, serving as a testament to my reverence for all life forms. I feel a profound connection with each character that imbues them with a sense of vivacity beyond mere representation. Each inhabits their own separate universe, and their worlds merge together in my work. The animistic narratives they evoke become a vivid tapestry of interwoven tales, exploring the complexities of our shared experiences.