"Shape Flow" (隨物賦形) is derived from the classic Chinese text Zhuangzi: Responding to the Emperor (《莊子・應帝王》). It conveys the idea that forms should naturally emerge by adapting to the changes of the world. In Zhuangzi’s philosophy, the myriad forms of heaven and earth continuously evolve with shifting circumstances and environments. Attempts to impose control or limitations only hinder the natural process of becoming. In today’s era of uncertainty and flux, this ancient wisdom resonates deeply and forms the core of Pascal van der Graaf’s artistic practice.
｜Rooted in Tradition, Striving for Innovation
Born and raised in the Netherlands, Pascal van der Graaf has a strong foundation in Western art history. Early in his career, he merged rational geometry with symbolic imagery, earning the prestigious Royal Award for Modern Painting in 2007.
Since 2016, he has lived and worked in Taiwan. His long-term engagement with cross-cultural experiences has gradually infused his art with Eastern aesthetics and philosophical perspectives.
Notably, Pascal began practicing traditional Japanese origami at the age of four. This craft has profoundly influenced his later development of three-dimensional canvases and sculptural paintings, becoming an essential source of inspiration for his exploration of form and structure.
｜From Incense Pouches to Celeste: The Evolution of Form
In 2024, Pascal applied the origami technique of "tessellation" to create his Incense Pouches series. He transformed the Taiwanese folk object of the incense pouch—symbolizing blessings, protection, and cultural memory—into abstract art that reflects the self-generation of symbols and forms.
In 2025, this technique evolved into the new Celeste series. The folding and mosaic structures became more complex, with increasingly diverse and dynamic forms. Pascal also incorporated spray-painting techniques and pigments, enriching the surface textures and colors. The visual effects change with light and viewing angles, imbuing each work with a sense of organic fluidity and life.
Regardless of the variation in forms, Pascal consistently upholds a pursuit of harmony—not symmetry imposed by human design, but a balance that naturally emerges between materials, structure, and light.
｜Minimalism Meets Baroque: The Bernini Series
Also featured in this exhibition is the Bernini series. The name references Pascal’s childhood fascination with the flowing drapery folds in the sculptures of Gian Lorenzo Bernini and Michelangelo.
From the early work “The True Government (真宰)”, which featured irregular folding, to the present-day Bernini series, Pascal has combined the rational structures of Minimalism with the ornate flair of the Baroque. The coexistence of cool geometric lines and dynamic folds creates a refreshing visual tension, guiding viewers between abstraction and history, aesthetics and playfulness.
｜A Systematic Exploration of Technique and Concept
Since 2022, Pascal has pursued a systematic exploration of techniques and concepts inspired by origami. Through vertical folds, horizontal folds, and tessellation folding, he has progressively deepened his practice and continuously created new formal vocabularies.
This is not merely an evolution of materials and methods, but a sustained engagement with profound questions of form, materiality, and cultural meaning.
His works challenge traditional perceptions of form and symbols, establishing a dialogue between order and chance, material and spirit.
Following the flow of things, forms find their own paths. You are warmly invited to experience how shapes, in the context of contemporary art, gracefully and freely discover their own way forward.
