MOU PROJECTS is pleased to present "Secretly, Inwardly, Dimly," Ding Zhi's first solo exhibition with the gallery as well as in Hong Kong. Showcasing a curated selection of most recent paintings, Ding merges personal history with a universal narrative in the featured works, encapsulating the essence of observing life from the shadows and the internal struggle of understanding one's place in the world. The exhibition's English title, composed of three peculiar adverbs, serves not just as a literal description of the spaces her painted characters inhabit but as a metaphor for the emotional and psychological landscapes they traverse. These adverbs—secretly, inwardly, and dimly—collectively sketch the contours of a deeply interior world, where actions and observations are cloaked in layers of discretion and introspection.

Ding's paintings are deeply imbued with her own life experiences, particularly her upbringing in Jiujiang, Jiangxi, China, and her subsequent immigration to the United States. Elements of magical realism found in her works speak volumes about the ordinary lives and life paths of people from small Chinese cities, articulated through a visual language that balances between cartoonish innocence and somber contemplation. Against backdrops of dark tones, the characters in her works exude a palpable sense of melancholy, underscoring the stark realities of ordinary living—harsh yet not devoid of hope.

Opening Reception: August 31 | 2–6 pm

Gallery address: 202, The Factory, 1 Yip Fat Street, Wong Chuk Hang