How Haozhe Li's New Exhibition "Dreamscape" Blurs the Lines Between Reality and Imagination

“As an artist, I aim to challenge how people perceive reality and imagination. I want my work to be a catalyst for introspection, inviting viewers to question the boundaries of their own experiences,” says Haozhe Li, the New York-based illustrator and visual artist behind the captivating exhibition "Dreamscape."

Haozhe Li is a graduate of the Fashion Institute of Technology’s Master of Fine Arts program in Illustration. She has made waves in the New York art scene with her unique visual storytelling through traditional painting techniques and modern illustration.

Her work is characterized by a dreamlike quality that seamlessly merges the real and the surreal. Thus, she creates captivating and thought-provoking visual narratives. Prominent publications like Voyage LA, Canvas Rebel, Shoutout LA, and Bold Journey have featured her portfolio.

The Vision Behind "Dreamscape"

"Dreamscape," from August 13 to 15, 2024, at New York’s :iidrr Gallery, showcased Li’s signature style and ability to create immersive experiences that transport viewers to the subconscious realm. The exhibition featured two main series: the London International Creative Competition Awardee “Something Happened” and Li’s latest work, “Those Shadows.”

"Something Happened"

According to Haozhe Li, the central theme of “Something Happened” explores the relationship between reality and imagination. This blurring of reality and imagination resonates with the human experience of dreaming, where vivid and surreal scenarios can feel as accurate as people's waking lives.

Li’s soft, hazy color palettes and ethereal atmospheres enhance this dreamlike quality, evoking the liminal space between wakefulness and sleep.

Haozhe Li explores the idea that people's perception of reality is intricately tied to the functioning of their minds. Just as their consciousness creates dreams, "Dreamscape" through "Something Happened" prompts viewers to consider that different rules may govern their waking reality, which means their minds may also construct.

(Photo: Something Happened, Pastel、Watercolor、Color Pencil, 18×24 inch)

Haozhe Li explores dreams and imagination in her art. She prompts viewers to examine their inner lives. This process helps uncover hidden meanings in various situations and visions.

Viewers engage deeply with the artworks, projecting their own experiences onto enigmatic scenes. This process creates personal interpretations independent of the artist’s intent. Each observer forms their unique perception and reality through this interaction.

"Those Shadows"

From dreams and imagination, Haozhe Li also touches on reality through "Those Shadows." This exhibit is a series of thought-provoking explorations between pain, transformation, and the human experience. Her series employs powerful visual metaphors to convey that suffering and personal growth are often intertwined.

Haozhe Li uses sharp glass as a symbol of external harm and pain. In contrast, the shadow of the glass on the hand transforms into a beautiful flower. It represents the potential for beauty and rebirth that can emerge from difficult experiences. This juxtaposition creates a visual tension that encourages viewers to contemplate the nature of pain and its role in personal development.

The use of shadows in the artworks blurs the lines between reality and illusion, inviting viewers to start on an emotional journey from sharpness to softness. This transition enhances the visual impact of the pieces and prompts introspection on the complexities of the human experience.

Using metaphor, Haozhe Li creates multiple layers of meaning in her work, allowing viewers to engage with the art visually and intellectually. Each piece becomes a tool for reflection and insight, encouraging viewers to explore their relationship with pain, growth, and the self.

“‘Dreamscape’ is an invitation to explore the complex relationship between reality and imagination, oneself and the world,” Li explains. “Through my work, I aim to create a space where viewers can engage with their subconscious and even their realities, drawing uniquely personal conclusions.”

The Techniques Behind "Dreamscape"

Li’s "Dreamscape" taps into this universal human experience by creating visuals that blend realistic and surreal elements. Her mastery of watercolors, color pastels, and colored pencils allows her to create soft, hazy color palettes and dreamlike atmospheres that have become her artistic style.

The translucent nature of watercolors enables Li to layer and blend different hues to achieve a hazy quality in her backgrounds and atmospheric elements. The unpredictable flow of watercolors adds a sense of spontaneity and organic movement to her compositions, further enhancing the surreal ambiance.

Color pastels, Li’s primary medium, are crucial in establishing the soft, velvety texture and delicate color transitions that define her work. The powdery nature of pastels allows for seamless blending, creating gradual shifts in tone and value that contribute to the overall dreamlike atmosphere.

Haozhe Li uses pastels’ inherent softness to render forms with a gentle, hazy outline, using colored pencils to add intricate details, patterns, and textures. As she layers and blends different colored pencil hues, she creates depth and dimension within her compositions that invite viewers to engage with the artwork on a profoundly personal level. They can project their own experiences, emotions, and interpretations onto the enigmatic scenes.

However, in addition to these three traditional techniques, Li also uses a more modern method, such as papier-mâché, to add physical depth to her frames, enhancing the surreal quality of her pieces. She also incorporates advanced materials like shrink plastic to create 3D textures within her 2D illustrations, further blurring the lines between reality and illusion.

“I’m always looking for ways to expand the possibilities of traditional media. Experimenting with different techniques is my way to create visual narratives that are both familiar and surprising to viewers," Li mentions.

(Photo: Left: Echoes of Petals, Pastel、Color pencil, 9.5×9.5 inch

Right: Blossoming Freedom, Pastel、Color pencil, 9.5×12 inch)

A Journey of Self-Discovery

Through her exhibition "Dreamscape," Haozhe Li transforms art into a powerful tool for self-exploration, inviting viewers to confront their inner worlds in subtle yet profound ways. This indirect process of self-confrontation provides a safe space for viewers to explore difficult emotions or unresolved issues, potentially leading to personal insights that can boost self-confidence and inform life decisions with greater clarity and purpose.

Looking ahead, Haozhe Li is eager to expand her artistic journey, collaborating with different galleries and creating more works that transcend mere visual appeal. For the visual artist, the true measure of her art’s success lies in its visual impact and its ability to touch hearts, provoke thought, and inspire positive change in those who experience it.

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