Exhibition Statement:

Tradition and modernity, East and West—these seemingly opposing ideas have long imposed boundaries upon art. They not only categorize artistic expression but also shape curatorial frameworks, as though these dimensions were never meant to meet.

Yet the vitality of art lies precisely in integration. History reminds us that cultural exchange has always redefined creativity: Chinese ceramics and Eastern aesthetics inspired Rococo and British tea culture; Japanese ukiyo-e transformed Western painting, sparking the Impressionist movement; Greek sculpture traveled east, merging with Chinese Buddhist art to form the profound aesthetics of grotto and statue carving. Art evolves through these encounters, endlessly reshaping itself.

Unscripted Confluence seeks to transcend such boundaries, allowing art to unfold freely across East and West, past and present, creating an open and unified visual language. In a multicultural city like Toronto, this dialogue finds its natural home.

Featuring four artists—two from China and two from Canada—the exhibition explores the shared space where traditions meet transformation: Chinese ink painters introducing Western color and expression; Canadian artists embracing Eastern philosophy through abstraction and form. Together, their works celebrate fusion, balance, and renewal.

This exhibition is a meditation on boundaries and a celebration of integration—where art returns to its purest state: unbounded, and ever-evolving.

Curated by Carol Chen.

Participating Artists:

Ann Clifford

Ann Clifford is a Canadian multi-media artist and figurative sculptor whose work bridges anatomy and abstraction. A graduate of OCAD University, her sculptures and paintings have appeared in major exhibitions including the Interior Design Show and the Toronto Outdoor Art Fair, and are held in notable collections such as Janet Rosenberg Studio, the National Bank of Canada, and CIBC Wood Gundy.

Influenced by Bauhaus principles, Clifford works with bronze, stainless steel, concrete, and wire to explore the connection between nature, the human form, and cultural identity.

Françoise Issaly

Françoise Issaly is a French-Canadian artist and writer whose work explores identity within a global cultural context. A graduate of the Universities of Montpellier and Bordeaux, she works across painting, sculpture, photography, video, and poetry.

Her art, rooted in repetition and serial form, has been exhibited internationally across Europe, North America, and Asia, and is held in private and public collections worldwide. Deeply influenced by years spent living and teaching in China, Issaly’s practice reflects Taoist philosophy, Buddhist themes, and yin-yang balance.

Weiwei Long

Weiwei Long’s paintings merge Eastern sensitivity with Western technique, blending expressive brushwork and translucent color to evoke the poetic and the serene. His approach embodies an “unfinished completion,” inviting reflection and reinterpretation.

Based in Songzhuang, Beijing, Long has spent decades painting across China’s landscapes. His works have been shown in the Toronto Outdoor Art Fair, Asian Art Expo, and other international exhibitions, and are part of major private collections including that of philosopher Zhou Guoping.

Ya Ren

Ya Ren is an award-winning Chinese painter trained under contemporary masters, including Zhusan Hu, a disciple of Baishi Qi. Specializing in Chinese ink painting, her work bridges traditional forms with modern influence drawn from her North American experience.

Her paintings have been featured by CBC and recognized internationally, earning top awards from the Hanmo Qingfeng International Art Exhibition and the McMichael Canadian Art Gallery. She is also an active member and leader within Canadian cultural associations