"Although my works seem to consist of a single coherent medium, they are in fact collages comprised of many small pieces of paper cut into random shapes and painted on using a variety of brush strokes. Featuring all shapes and sizes, these papers are basic elements that open up new possibilities within my works.

Without any preconceptions for the final image, I form a collage with those pieces of paper. Because there is no set image in mind, habits, both good and bad ones, are cast aside during the creative process. Indeed, this is a journey filled with exploration, adventure, frustration, surprise, and sudden changes... and one which leads to challenges that have far exceeded anything I could have ever imagined.

Looking at the work's level of originality, each small piece of paper is like a key for opening up new possibilities, taking on a position and life of its own during the creative process. In truth, even a piece of paper that is painted perfectly can ruin an image's "entirety," and thus be removed if its positioning is even slightly off. The purpose for such a complex process is to unveil the hidden relations between seemingly unrelated brush strokes. The creation of such a relationship eventually endows a sense of space to the image. While I develop clusters of brush strokes, the space within the image remains in a constant state of flux. Throughout this back and forth process consisting of a mutual and complementary influence, the image gradually takes shape to eventually reach equilibrium, resulting in a complete yet °fluid" space.

For me, this process seems to open up an entirely new realm where traditional ink painting can retain its unique character even while conventional formalities are being subverted. Throughout my long journey of exploring a "holistic perspective" for art, I have, at least, continued to develop myself as an artist. And, perhaps, this is where the possibility for a dialogue between the nature of Chinese and Western art lies."

- by Emily Shih Chih Yang