The Hong Kong debut exhibition of highly regarded young Chinese painter Li Zi opens at Fabrik Gallery in Sheung Wan on October 29th. Some 10 profoundly beautiful monochromatic works from her recent “Mysteries” collection will be on show.

The inspiration for Li Zi’s paintings starts with photographs, taken either by herself or friends. She explains: “I try to extract the mystery from the photos, which are all taken in China. Along the way, they somehow lose their Chinese characteristics and assume an air of Northern Europe and exude a mysteriously cold charm. I visit Europe every year, and it feels extremely comfortable – almost like I lived there in a previous life.”

The artist typically uses a sombre, almost monochromatic palette. “I think a sense of mystery and melancholy is better demonstrated through simple colours,” she noted.

Li Zi graduated with an MA from the Hubei Institute of Fine Arts in 2007, and now lives and paints in Beijing. Her works are popular among Chinese collectors, and have been shown at the Shenzhen Art Museum, the Hubei Museum of Fine Art and the National Art Museum of China in Beijing, as well as many international exhibitions.