Only Human: Finding the True Self Within Imperfection — Solo Exhibition of Taiwanese Artist Betty Lu in Paris
Taiwanese artist Betty Lu’s solo exhibition, "Only Human," will be held from February 5 to February 10, 2026, at the prestigious Galerie Mona Lisa in Paris. Curated by Carina Chang, the exhibition opens an honest dialogue about the human condition. Through a nuanced female perspective, it challenges the societal frameworks imposed on the body, guiding viewers to rediscover their original selves through the liberation of emotion.
Editorial Note: 《There’s always a butt》
In the solo exhibition Only Human, the work There’s always a butt uses a clever pun to capture the shared plight of modern women: even when meeting societal "standards," there is always a critical "but" trailing behind. This is the "social gaze," objectifying the female body into an endless race for compliance.
Perhaps we shouldn't strive to erase that "but," but rather turn around and face it with a candid smile. This sense of freedom extends to the exhibition design, the paintings are no longer confined to rigid horizontal lines but are arranged in an irregular rhythm, as if performing an improvised dance across the walls. When tight standards vanish, they are replaced by the saturated, vibrant colours on the canvas. This rule-breaking vitality allows one to drop their guard amidst the jumping visual energy and meet their truest, most perfect self.
From Social Gaze to Awakening: The Body as a Language of Resistance
The creative genesis of Betty Lu’s work lies in a profound reflection on "social discipline." Philosopher Michel Foucault explored how social power utilizes the "gaze" to monitor and constrain individuals. Under this pervasive gaze, the female body is often objectified and confined within specific aesthetics and expectations, as if trapped in an invisible cage.
In the "Only Human" series, Betty Lu transforms the body from an "object of the gaze" into a "subject of feeling." The elegant dancing postures and exaggerated bodily proportions serve as a gentle rebuttal to this societal normalization. It is an act of reclaiming autonomy, releasing the body from external judgment and showcasing an authentic life force that yearns for freedom beyond boundaries.
Embracing the True Self: A Philosophy of Life in Imperfection
Beyond societal reflection, the exhibition delves into the psychological reconstruction of the self. British psychoanalyst Donald Winnicott proposed that individuals develop a "False Self" to comply with external expectations and survival. The exaggerated limbs and emotional release in Betty Lu’s work represent a journey back from the "False Self" to the "True Self", an original state that, while imperfect, is brimming with vitality.
Upon entering the gallery, viewers are first drawn to the lightness and subtle humor of the works. Yet, beneath the fluid strokes lies a life force seeking to break free. The artist rejects idealized imagery, choosing instead to embrace vulnerability, imbalance, and uncertainty. The core spirit of the exhibition is captured in its tagline:
"No standards, letting emotions flow freely; in the looseness, we find that imperfect yet perfect self."
Exhibition Information
Opening Reception (Vernissage): Thursday, Feb 5: 5:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Public Opening Hours:
Feb 5 (Thu): 2:00 PM – 5:00 PM
Feb 6 (Fri) to Feb 8 (Sun): 2:00 PM – 6:00 PM
Feb 10 (Tue): 2:00 PM – 5:00 PM
(Note: Closed on Monday, Feb 9)
Venue: Galerie Mona Lisa (32 Rue de Varenne, 75007 Paris, France)
Born in Taipei, Taiwan. Following a high-pressure corporate career, she shifted her focus to art, moving from rational discipline to intuitive sensibility. With over a decade of painting experience, she gained acclaim at the Carrousel du Louvre in 2022. Her works, which drift between figurative and abstract styles, have been exhibited in Italy, Spain, Monaco, and South Korea. In this exhibition, she breaks through her previous oil techniques to explore acrylics, capturing the multifaceted emotional tension of the female body.
Follow
Related News
