2018 The Atlas of Light - Ran Hill Solo Exhibition 光約-海至個展
Jul 28 - Sep 28, 2018
Reading Guide｜The Atlas of Light
Text / Selena Shih
Like light to the world, energy fills every corner of our surroundings—whether in the daylight of nature or under the quiet glow of moonlight. Sometimes it must be deliberately sought out, yet more often than not, it is already close by.
The Light series (2017–2018) began with observing the stories of people, events, and things around the artist, then evolved through an inner process of reflection and emotional transformation. These works explore the unbearable lightness and heaviness of life, while also speaking to familial bonds, friendship, and above all—dreams.
They reflect on how people face the cycle of life—birth, aging, sickness, and death—with different attitudes; how warmth and support flow from loved ones in times of difficulty; how friends pursue their dreams with unwavering determination. The strength observed in others becomes like light—a symbol of hope—that empowers the artist to move forward with clarity and energy.
A quiet decision was made: to continue sharing the powerful, positive energy of a departed friend, along with the light and hope the artist now sees. This became a creative mission—an unspoken pact with that friend, and with light itself.
This series can be viewed as a journey in search of light, or as a silent agreement with light. It expresses the realization that living in the moment is a profound truth. Each experience and insight is poured into the works, through hand and brush, forming a visual map of this journey. Upon closer reflection, it becomes clear: it was light that guided this path all along.
Following the appearances of the Light Deer and the Whale, the Atlas of Light introduces a new character—Peace Bear. In the visual narrative, the Light Deer symbolizes hope, the Ghost represents the self, the Whale embodies strength, and the Bear signifies peace. These figures mark stages in the artist’s own emotional transformation through creation.
In most of the Atlas of Light works, the Light Deer continues to travel across different parts of the world. But unlike earlier series, the artist now paints themselves into the scenes—traveling alongside the Light Deer. These journeys through various life stories emphasize that strength, peace, and the sensation of truly being alive are all essential. They form the spiritual foundation that enables the artist to keep creating.
導讀 光約 文/史納納
就像是光之於世界，環境的每個角落，到處都有能量。在白晝的大自然裡、在深夜的月光下…。有時候需要刻意尋找，而往往就近在身旁。
光系列創作(2017-2018)是從觀察週遭人事物的故事出發，至作者自我內心省思、沉澱後的一系列轉化過程。作品包含了生命中不能承受之輕與重；也論述了親情、友情、更包含了夢想。
看不同人面對人生的生老病死，所展現的態度；看生命課題出現時，家人朋友給予的溫暖和支持；看朋友尋找夢想時，下定決心、義無反顧的堅定…。在別人身上看到的力量，就像是光、是希望一樣，可以讓自己帶著更多的能量，堅定的朝夢想前進。
而默默的決定，將已逝好友心中那份強大的正向能量，以及自己看見的希望；
用創作繼續傳遞出去，也像是一種和好友的約定、更像是和光的約定。
歸納這一系列創作，也可以定義為“尋找光的旅行”；又像是“和光的一種無聲的約定”。領悟了〜時時刻刻都是“活在當下”的寫照，再將這些走過的心靈點滴，透過手、筆化成作品，集結起來，彷彿是一張光的旅行地圖；然而細細品味咀嚼後，卻發現—更像是因為光的指引，才成就了這趟(一系列)旅程。
繼光鹿、鯨魚，光約系列又多了—平安熊的角色。在畫面中，光鹿代表希望，鬼至代表自我；鯨魚是力量，熊是平安……也是創作的心靈轉化歷程。光約系列—大部分的作品中，代表著希望的光鹿，在世界的不同處繼續旅行；有別以往，三年的光鹿創作之後，也將自己畫在畫面裡，跟著光鹿去旅行。在生活中不同的故事裡旅行著，力量很重要，平安很重要，活著的感覺也很重要，因為那是能持續創作下去很重要的精神層面。
Text / Selena Shih
Like light to the world, energy fills every corner of our surroundings—whether in the daylight of nature or under the quiet glow of moonlight. Sometimes it must be deliberately sought out, yet more often than not, it is already close by.
The Light series (2017–2018) began with observing the stories of people, events, and things around the artist, then evolved through an inner process of reflection and emotional transformation. These works explore the unbearable lightness and heaviness of life, while also speaking to familial bonds, friendship, and above all—dreams.
They reflect on how people face the cycle of life—birth, aging, sickness, and death—with different attitudes; how warmth and support flow from loved ones in times of difficulty; how friends pursue their dreams with unwavering determination. The strength observed in others becomes like light—a symbol of hope—that empowers the artist to move forward with clarity and energy.
A quiet decision was made: to continue sharing the powerful, positive energy of a departed friend, along with the light and hope the artist now sees. This became a creative mission—an unspoken pact with that friend, and with light itself.
This series can be viewed as a journey in search of light, or as a silent agreement with light. It expresses the realization that living in the moment is a profound truth. Each experience and insight is poured into the works, through hand and brush, forming a visual map of this journey. Upon closer reflection, it becomes clear: it was light that guided this path all along.
Following the appearances of the Light Deer and the Whale, the Atlas of Light introduces a new character—Peace Bear. In the visual narrative, the Light Deer symbolizes hope, the Ghost represents the self, the Whale embodies strength, and the Bear signifies peace. These figures mark stages in the artist’s own emotional transformation through creation.
In most of the Atlas of Light works, the Light Deer continues to travel across different parts of the world. But unlike earlier series, the artist now paints themselves into the scenes—traveling alongside the Light Deer. These journeys through various life stories emphasize that strength, peace, and the sensation of truly being alive are all essential. They form the spiritual foundation that enables the artist to keep creating.
導讀 光約 文/史納納
就像是光之於世界，環境的每個角落，到處都有能量。在白晝的大自然裡、在深夜的月光下…。有時候需要刻意尋找，而往往就近在身旁。
光系列創作(2017-2018)是從觀察週遭人事物的故事出發，至作者自我內心省思、沉澱後的一系列轉化過程。作品包含了生命中不能承受之輕與重；也論述了親情、友情、更包含了夢想。
看不同人面對人生的生老病死，所展現的態度；看生命課題出現時，家人朋友給予的溫暖和支持；看朋友尋找夢想時，下定決心、義無反顧的堅定…。在別人身上看到的力量，就像是光、是希望一樣，可以讓自己帶著更多的能量，堅定的朝夢想前進。
而默默的決定，將已逝好友心中那份強大的正向能量，以及自己看見的希望；
用創作繼續傳遞出去，也像是一種和好友的約定、更像是和光的約定。
歸納這一系列創作，也可以定義為“尋找光的旅行”；又像是“和光的一種無聲的約定”。領悟了〜時時刻刻都是“活在當下”的寫照，再將這些走過的心靈點滴，透過手、筆化成作品，集結起來，彷彿是一張光的旅行地圖；然而細細品味咀嚼後，卻發現—更像是因為光的指引，才成就了這趟(一系列)旅程。
繼光鹿、鯨魚，光約系列又多了—平安熊的角色。在畫面中，光鹿代表希望，鬼至代表自我；鯨魚是力量，熊是平安……也是創作的心靈轉化歷程。光約系列—大部分的作品中，代表著希望的光鹿，在世界的不同處繼續旅行；有別以往，三年的光鹿創作之後，也將自己畫在畫面裡，跟著光鹿去旅行。在生活中不同的故事裡旅行著，力量很重要，平安很重要，活著的感覺也很重要，因為那是能持續創作下去很重要的精神層面。
RAN HILL 海至