Lao's artworks beautifully explore nature and living systems. His studies on overlapping trees and branches are particularly interesting- an artist would know how much planning and time it takes to create a natural plant form. Lao highlights how the human subjective experience and ecological balance are inseparable. 

As someone who does Chinese ink painting myself, I understand the time and effort gone into Gongbi painting, especially to this size and intricacy. This exhibition is definitely an interesting body of work to see. 

This exhibition showcases the red Corallium rubrum found in the Mediterranean, carved as intricate accessories with an eyecatching red color. Walking into the exhibition felt like diving into the ocean, for its layout of having two floors. The pieces were highlighted well in the dark ocean surroundings. 

My favorite is the picture here: Parure, made in the beginning of 1800s. This set of jewelry displayed amazing craftsmanship of roses. 

An interesting mix between Asian and Western depictions of gardens. Monet was by far the fan favorite, but the ink paintings were also interesting. My favorite was the monthly floral magazine Twelve Months of Flowers by Henry Fletcher that were highly realistic and detailed. It was a joy to walk through the exhibition. 

Also, many people did not notice a hidden Monet painting behind the Water Lilies- of his friend, Albert Andre. 

The two art fairs featured many different galleries around the world. Overstimulating, but very inspiring to see different artwork throughout the world. I found impasto to be quite popular this year. As a floral fanatic, it was also amazing to see both abstract and realistic depictions of flowers becoming more prominent. 

Guo Pei's intricate excellence never fails to amaze me. She makes fashion which combines Chinese and Western techniques that is almost architechtural. Shadows and reflection become part of her artwork. 

I particularly loved the subversion of the "Made in China" stereotype, specifcally the poor quality has become wearable sculptures in Guo Pei's design. Weighing 50-100lbs, the pieces are not practical, but are beautiful. 

Cao Fei's exploration of technology and humanity using oftentimes surrealist photography and videography depicts the different eras of Chinese society. The inclusion of the an installation which brought the viewer into a tech-like, factory-like environment on the second floor was also immersive and interesting. 

I believe Cao Fei has art at M+, including Chain Reaction (2000), Whose Utopia (2006), RMB City (2007-2011), San Yuan Li (2003) and Haze and Fog (2013). Exctied to see them. 

Tate Modern is a gigantic treasure trove of modern art. One day is not enough to walk through each section. 

A particularly memorable piece was Achrome, using textures to fill up blankness. Though monochromatic, Piero Manzoni encouraged viewers to examine the canvas itself as an artwork, an object. This was the artwork that opened my eyes to textures and the play of anything other than color in my artwork. 

This exhibition was interesting to walk through as it combined both impressionism and realism. It was a glance into the Western world in a prominent city in Asia. It was a great masterclass in the use of light and shadow.