Xiyao Wang: Lightly Floats and Drifts the Boat

König Mexico City presents “Lightly Floats and Drifts the Boat”, a solo exhibition by Xiyao Wang. Inspired by the classical Chinese poem “归去来兮辞 (Ah, Homeward Bound I Go!)”, this latest body of work reflects the artist’s ongoing artistic journey and personal exploration of self. The exhibition examines themes of cultural memory, philosophical introspection, and the fleeting nature of time, elements that hold significance in both her life and creative practice.

The poem, written by the Chinese poet Tao Yuanming (c. 365–427), narrates his decision to withdraw from civil service and return to his homeland in search of inner peace and truth. Wang draws from its timeless themes of liberation and belonging, weaving them into paintings imbued with movement, serenity, and reflection. The exhibition title borrows from a line in the poem: “舟遥遥以轻飏，风飘飘而吹衣 – Lightly floats and drifts the boat, and gently flows and flaps my gown”. This image of lightness and freedom captures the emotional core of her work: the simultaneous weight and weightlessness of existence and the pursuit of harmony in an ever-shifting world.