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Phantasmic Figures Grapple with Their Doubles in Xie Lei’s Dreamy Oil Paintings

Paris-based artist Xie Lei is exhibiting a new series of oil paintings at Musée Denys-Puech in Rodez, France, exploring themes of duality through dreamlike imagery and symbolic figures. The works, which include pieces like "Double I" and "Resistance," use soft brushstrokes and ethereal lighting to depict spectral forms in ambiguous, otherworldly settings. The exhibition, titled "Double," marks Xie's recognition with the Marcel Duchamp Prize in 2025 and runs through October 25, highlighting his exploration of identity, reflection, and transformation in visual art.

What happened

Xie Lei’s new oil paintings explore themes of duality, showing figures and their doubles in dreamlike, surreal scenes.

Why it matters

The artwork reflects on identity, perception, and the tension between reality and imagination, offering a visual language for complex psychological ideas.

Why it belongs here

This story belongs here because it highlights how art can make abstract concepts tangible, inviting viewers to engage with deeper questions about self and existence.

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