Chinese-American Young Artist Cai Yizhen Explores Memory and Cultural Connections in Solo Exhibition
LAPost/La Mirada, CA (December 9, 2024) – Chinese-American young artist Cai Yizhen’s solo exhibition Expired in Six Months opened on the evening of December 9 at The Earl & Virginia Green Art Gallery at Biola University, a renowned institution in Southern California. The opening drew an enthusiastic crowd of local young artists, university students and faculty, as well as friends and family, making it a campus highlight despite its simple setup and lack of elaborate ceremonies.
Cai Yizhen introduces the raw materials of her work to the audience and allows them to feel the texture of the materials. (Photo by: Richard Ren/LAPost)
The exhibition features nearly 20 pieces created by Cai using a unique blend of oat flour and clay, alongside approximately ten sheets of Chinese rice paper soaked in traditional Chinese vinegar and dried to produce natural hues. These aromatic, varying-sized sheets are displayed throughout the gallery. Complementing the visual elements is an auditory installation incorporating voicemail messages from her mother, as well as dialogues with her siblings.
Works by Cai Yizhen (Photo by: Richard Ren/LAPost)
Cai’s work combines organic materials with Asian cultural influences, drawing inspiration from her favorite artist Salvador Dalí. The pieces evoke “memories” of her hometown through sculptures and paintings, delving into the intricate connections between personal memory, cultural heritage, and the natural world.
Works by Cai Yizhen (Photo by: Richard Ren/LAPost)
“Plates of Memory” and Cultural Ties
This series, titled Plates of Memory, explores the complex interplay between memory, culture, and nature. Cai uses organic materials such as flour, thread, and paper—intimately connected to human life—to investigate themes of displacement, belonging, and her ties to cultural memory and immigration experiences. The minimalist exhibition design invites visitors to immerse themselves in a space where personal and cultural histories converge.
A corner of the exhibition hall (Photo by: Richard Ren/LAPost)
Cai, who immigrated to Los Angeles from Shenzhen with her family at the age of 12, recently graduated with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Painting and Illustration from Biola University. Fluent in both Mandarin and English, she is known for her warm demeanor. Her WeChat username, “Cai Ten Shapes,” is a playful modification of the character “真” (truth) in her name.
Cai Yizhen accepts media interview in the exhibition hall (Photo by: Richard Ren/LAPost)
During a media interview at the exhibition, Cai shared the inspirations behind her work. “My childhood memories are rooted in China. Although I grew up in the modern southern city of Shenzhen, I was deeply influenced by my mother’s northern cultural heritage from Zhangjiakou, Hebei. In northern culture, the craft of making oat flour dishes is considered a cherished tradition, passed down through generations. My family is no exception, with these skills handed down from my grandfather to my mother and now to me.”
Works by Cai Yizhen (Photo by: Richard Ren/LAPost)
Regarding the exhibition’s title, Expired in Six Months, Cai explained, “The phrase comes from a line printed on the oat flour bag I used for my work. It reminded me of the first six months of adaptation and transformation that my family and I went through as new immigrants. I hope this theme conveys that even after adapting to life overseas, we continue to preserve and honor our cultural roots.”
A Multi-Sensory Journey of Memory and Time
Cai also highlighted the significance of integrating food, scent, and sound into her work. “After moving to the U.S. in middle school, oat flour became a way for my family to maintain a connection to our hometown. For this exhibition, I used half a bag of oat flour that we had treasured for five years, blending it with clay to embed part of our family heritage into my work. Chinese vinegar—an ingredient loved by my mother—represents the passage of time and the intergenerational longing in our family.”
Reflecting on voice messages from her mother, Cai said, “As I listened to recordings left by my mother over the past four years, I often felt a pang of guilt. Although she couldn’t attend my debut, her unwavering support has been my greatest source of strength.” She added, “Through migration and growth, we carry on our family’s cultural heritage like sedimented layers of memory. My family is determined not to ‘consume’ or forget this part of our history.”
Recognition and Future Plans
From left: Professor Jonathan Puls, Dean of Biola University College of Arts, Professor Astri Swendsrud, Cai Yizhen, Professor Daniel Chang (Photo by: Richard Ren/LAPost)
Biola University Art Department Chair Professor Jonathan Puls, along with nearly 100 of Cai’s teachers and peers, attended the exhibition. They offered warm congratulations and high praise for her work. Fellow classmate Richel Molina noted, “Over the past four years, I’ve witnessed Cai’s style take shape. This exhibition reflects a sense of personalism, capturing her close relationships with her family and hometown.” Another classmate, Rebecca Stockinger, commented, “I love Cai’s work. It’s exciting to learn about her culture and the inspirations behind her art. Her pieces are both personal and emotionally nuanced.”
Looking ahead, Cai expressed her desire to balance her artistic practice with curatorial work. “I hope to use opportunities in mainstream galleries to empower young Chinese-American artists,” she said. (By: Richard Ren/LAPost)
(Photo by: Richard Ren/LAPost)
