Inside This London Artist's Playful Studio

Why It Matters

His fusion of research, hand‑crafted props, and innovative media expands the possibilities of narrative painting, appealing to collectors seeking culturally resonant, multi‑dimensional art.

Key Takeaways

• Artist uses diluted oil medium called soven for watery textures.
• Researches Chinese folklore, creating original props for his paintings.
• Paper sculptures serve as wearable references within his visual narratives.
• Canvas constructions combine multiple shapes, echoing his father's antique case.
• Grinch-inspired work replaces green with unconventional colors, exploring alternate realities.

Summary

Ding Shulun invites viewers into his modest London studio, where a handful of oil paintings dominate the space. He works with a self‑developed medium called "soven," diluting oil to achieve a translucent, watery effect that distinguishes his canvases from traditional work. The artist’s practice is rooted in extensive research of ancient Chinese folklore, which fuels the creation of bespoke props and paper sculptures that he photographs and incorporates into his paintings. By hand‑crafting these elements, he bypasses the need for external references, ensuring each visual cue is uniquely his own. Among the pieces discussed, a canvas series depicting the mythic figure Wanghu stands out, constructed from seven differently shaped canvases that echo an old case belonging to his father. He also recounts a recent "Grinch" reinterpretation, swapping the iconic green for unexpected hues to probe alternative realities. Shulun’s interdisciplinary approach—melding folklore, craft, and experimental materials—positions his work at the intersection of cultural storytelling and contemporary art, offering collectors a narrative‑rich, tactile experience beyond conventional painting.

Original Description

Meet Ding Shilun at his London Studio. The Guangzhou-born artist weaves Chinese mythology, art history, and the absurdity of daily life into large, intricate canvases. His figures inhabit imagined worlds that feel both ancient and completely now, blurring the line between the real and the surreal. Here, he takes you around his works in progress and the trinkets lying around the studio that influence his work.

You can find his work soon in Hong Kong on view at ArtHouse Tai Hang. The new contemporary art festival runs from March 21-26, 2026.