Lo Chan Peng’s painting, “A Dream of yūgen,” has been officially selected for the annual exhibition REALISM NOW | MEAM SHOW 2026, to be held at the Museu Europeu d’Art Modern (MEAM) in Barcelona, Spain. The announcement marks a significant milestone in the artist’s ongoing dialogue with European audiences and the global figurative-art community.
REALISM NOW | MEAM SHOW 2026 convenes leading international artists who are central to the development of contemporary figurative and realist painting. The project foregrounds a renewed emphasis on human presence, tactile craftsmanship, and expressive depth in an era increasingly dominated by algorithmic imagery. Through diverse approaches to realism, the show explores how painting can illuminate the nuances of human experience in the 21st century.
As an international Neo-Figurative artist, Lo Chan Peng’s practice continuously probes the meaning of humanity through the warmth and meticulous craftsmanship of painting. In a world flooded with AI-generated imagery, Lo Chan Peng has often articulated a stance that the hand-painted image remains a crucial conduit for the human soul. “In the near future, humanity will discover that the act of painting by hand is more important than ever, for it is a direct reflection of the human soul. For human life is not meant to be replaceable, but to manifest its unique existence,” the artist observes.
The selection of “A Dream of yūgen” by MEAM underscores the work’s resonance with Zen philosophy and Eastern aesthetics. Yūgen—an appreciation for deep, mysterious beauty that lies between the seen and the unseen—serves as a guiding principle for the piece. Lo Chan Peng interprets this concept as a creative stance in resistance to cold algorithms, presenting a crucial pathway for realist painting and the evolving landscape of figurative art.
MEAM, a global institution dedicated to contemporary figurative art, recognizes the trajectory of Lo Chan Peng’s practice as a meaningful contribution to cross-cultural dialogue within the European art scene. The forthcoming exhibition is framed as an opening of extended conversation, inviting audiences, artists, curators, and critics to engage with the nuanced intersections of tradition, humanity, and innovation in modern realism.
All are cordially invited to join the conversation surrounding this pivotal moment in contemporary figurative art. The MEAM show promises a compelling lineup that situates Lo Chan Peng’s “A Dream of yūgen” within a broader discourse on humanity, aesthetics, and the evolving role of painting in an era of rapid technological change.
Photo credits: The photographs belong to the artist’s archive.
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