D Contemporary is proud to present I held your hand until the light, the second solo exhibition by the acclaimed artist Corn Shuk Mei Ho with the gallery. This exhibition features a compelling series of evocative portraits and atmospheric landscapes that delve into the deeper levels of the human psyche, exploring the innermost states of mind and the complexity of human emotions. With a profound sense of melancholy, Corn conjures feelings of dislocation and longing, constructing an imaginative and uncanny world through the application of layered paints on various flat surfaces. This technique creates intricate connections to memory and identity, inviting viewers to engage deeply with her work.

As we traverse through her artistic journey, beginning with the Night swims series (2017-2022), Corn explores profound emotions of isolation, solitude, and fear through the depiction of nocturnal figures swimming in dark waters. In this series, she uses water as a potent symbol for the complexities of the human psyche, capturing the struggles that lie beneath the surface. In her current series, Girls and boys (2023-2024), showcased in her first solo exhibition at the gallery, Corn shifts her focus to young adults navigating the turbulent waters of inner struggles, boundless imagination, and the often challenging clash between youthful ideals and the realities of adulthood. Across all her work, a sense of hope emerges through the melancholic tone, revealing greater clarity and resilience after enduring hardship.

Corn’s paintings reflect her ongoing fascination with themes of loss and rediscovery, the fleeting nature of memory, and the traces left behind in the landscape of our lives. Her work examines these complex concepts from a micro-perspective, often focusing on the intimate stories of individual subjects. By exploring the diverse temperaments that shape the human experience, Corn’s art captures the essence of fading moments—an approach that has defined her practice from its earliest stages and continues to resonate with audiences today. Through this exhibition, D Contemporary invites viewers to immerse themselves in the profound emotional landscapes crafted by Corn Shuk Mei Ho. Her ability to weave personal narratives with universal themes creates a rich tapestry of experiences, offering insights into the human condition and the shared journey of existence.