Lai Young Lin, 賴永霖 – Taiwan.

Lai Young Lin (Taipei, Taiwan, 1990) is a Taiwanese visual artist specializing in watercolor painting, whose work explores everyday life with an acute sensitivity to detail and sensory experience. His practice draws inspiration from observing urban scenes, particularly the streets and alleys of Taipei, which he interprets not only through sight but also by capturing the sounds, vibrations of the surroundings, and the emotions of the moment.

He graduated in 2020 from the Institute of Plastic Arts at the National University of the Arts in Tainan and has devoted over a decade to art education in Taiwan, combining his creative practice with teaching and workshops.

Lai’s technique is marked by a conscious use of water flow and brushwork, aiming to convey fleeting sensations—such as rain, humidity in the air, or the rhythm of the city—beyond literal representation. He describes his approach as follows: “When I paint in watercolor, I like to feel the flow of the water; it guides how I use the brush. I do not aim to reproduce the subject literally, but to show my interaction with the water and express my personal sensations of the world—the touch, the sound, even emotions—beyond what is merely visible.”

His work has been featured in solo and international exhibitions and has received accolades such as the Hardie Gramatky Memorial Award at the American Watercolor Society Annual Exhibition in New York. He has also participated in biennales and exhibitions across Asia and the West.

Learn more about Lai