Artist Talk & Guided Meditation with Arlina Cai

Arlina Cai is a Brooklyn-based painter whose work serves as a manifestation of an unseen, unspoken inner world - a reflection of the mysteries and truths that coexist within us all. Cai's paintings explore the vulnerability and connection we feel when we are able to embrace ourselves, and invite the viewer to venture into the unknown and discover what lies within.

The paintings featured in In Soft Motion at Uprise Art are rooted in the Daoist concept of wu wei, meaning "non-action" or "effortless action," emphasizing aligning with the natural flow of things rather than forcing a specific outcome. Cai’s paintings embrace the fluidity of water - inviting stillness, surrender, and the gentle guidance of natural rhythms. Through gestural brushwork that nods to the traditions of Chinese ink painting, Cai suggests the presence of lotuses, lily pads, calm pools, and delicate blooms. These organic forms hover between representation and abstraction, dissolving into their surroundings yet maintaining a quiet resonance. By allowing intuition to guide the movement of paint, Cai creates compositions that feel both spontaneous and deeply meditative. The blended washes and flowing lines establish a framework for the mind to settle within, offering a visual rhythm that leads without confining. In this oscillation between structure and dispersion, the works transform a sense of stillness into something dynamic—fixed yet fluid, weightless yet grounded, evoking a state of quiet equilibrium.

In conversation with Curatorial Director Hannah Antalek, Cai will delve into the core ideas and inspirations behind her practice, highlighting the interplay between art and mindfulness. She will also lead a guided meditation, offering insight into how this complementary practice enriches her creative process.