
With Penumbra and Shadow, Galería RGR presents Wang Yi in his first exhibition outside China, marking a key moment in the international expansion of his practice.
Bringing together works from his series Reflection of Shadow, the exhibition draws on Eastern philosophy and aesthetics, including Jun’ichirō Tanizaki’s In Praise of Shadows and Daoist thought. Here, shadow is not secondary to light, but a condition through which material and perception take form.
The paintings are built through a slow process of layering translucent pigments, creating soft transitions and subtle shifts of color. Forms do not appear all at once; they emerge gradually, dissolving and recomposing within the surface.
Working between Eastern thought and Western painting traditions, Wang Yi develops a language in which geometry, material, and gesture remain in tension, allowing the image to take shape over time.








Wang Yi is a Chinese abstract painter specialising in distinctive works of hazy, but geometrically shaped, glowing colour. Some are painted on glass and many deceptively look as if they are illuminated by electric bulbs placed within, due to his expert glazing technique.
RGR is a contemporary art gallery committed to fostering dialogue across generations, movements, and artistic practices. Founded in 2018 in Mexico City, the gallery presents a diverse program that brings together established artists, historical legacies, and emerging voices shaping the contemporary art landscape. With a strong focus on experimentation and critical discourse, Galería RGR represents both pioneering figures in modern and contemporary art and contemporary artists exploring new frontiers in painting, sculpture, installation, and digital media. Its exhibition program encompasses a wide range of artistic approaches, from geometric precision to conceptual and expansive narratives that reflect the cultural and social context of our time.

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