Continuing in New York through 5 August, #LiRan's first Lisson Gallery exhibition 'Beyond Silence' presents a series of new paintings and film that explore the history of art and probe the politics of contemporary China, with a focus on young intellectuals in the region. In these paintings, Li adopts a narrative similar to the vitriol of contemporary caricatures. In Orphan's Struggle (2021), Chinese youth appear to float in a desolate, drifting scene, tones of pink and grey partially concealing an internal despair. Returning to The Crossroad (2022) blurs the lines between perceptions of political extremists and progressives, concluding at the same time that all are haunted by melancholy and sadness. "Everyone feels like they are on the more progressive side of the historical flood,” the artist notes. Persona Swap (2019), a dual-screen video work, allows the artist to interrogate the idea of the stage through a new medium. Created from reconstructed photo archives, the film is interlaced throughout with a bevy of historical archival material referring to early Chinese socialist choreography and makeup, providing further glimpses into the artist's reflections on this period of history. Explore further at the link in our bio. Video by @orestionline @liran8604 #LiRan #LissonGallery #LissonNewYork