“The Phantom of the Mirror,” is the subject of Li-Ming Hsu’s painting and research. Experiencing feelings of depression and anxiety after her divorce, she refocused on her needs and rebuilt her life through paintings. The value of loss and gain in life as well as her life experience let her see herself as who she is, and expressed herself through her works of art. The processes of being divorced, acknowledging self-emotions, rethink and rebuild were represented in her artistic creations in significant forms. Through painting, she was a free and unrestrained spirit. During her painting processes, she was able to rethink her needs and re-recognize her true self. She followed her heart, listened to her inner, and was finally reborn.
The subject, “The Phantom of the Mirror,” can be subdivided into four series, which are “The Mirror,” “The Phantom,” “The Loofah,” and “The Reborn,” each of which represents the past, the present, the inner darkness, and the return of Li-Ming Hsu’s art works. The forms of her arts are mainly based on the observations of objects, nature, and human nature from an outsider perspective. Metaphors, deconstruction, symbolism, solids and voids are the techniques shown in her works. Combination of delicate Chinese brush strokes with Western painting techniques, such as rubbing, smearing, splashing, and dry erasing, adds new fresh looks to her works.
The essay consists of five chapters. The first chapter is the introduction, which explains Li-Ming Hsu’s research purpose and research content. The second chapter discusses the theoretical basis of the subject, “The Phantom of the Mirror,’ through the comparative analysis of Eastern and Western artworks, art history, and psychology. The third chapter explicates the concept and practice of her art works and demonstrates her painting processes. The fourth chapter displays her final artistic creations and introduces each of her creation by responding the basis mentioned above. The fifth chapter is the conclusion, which shares her thoughts and her views in future creation.