At the beginning of this year, five national departments jointly released the "2021 Doping List Announcement," which includes 358 types of stimulants. The substantial number of listed stimulants might imply that our world is indeed quite "stimulated." In fact, recent events like SpaceX launches, the NFT craze, the crash of virtual currencies, the various shopping festivals, the pervasive toy capsule machines, the ever-dramatic lives of entertainment stars, and the rise of internet celebrities through short videos and live streams, along with India's recent pandemic crisis, and the countless explosive good and bad news stories and events happening daily, indicate that our era is never short of "highlights," both positive and negative. Love, happiness, and bursts of inspiration are inseparable from "dopamine," while excessive indulgence and impulsive crimes are also often linked to it, like a double-edged sword. I believe the term "dopamine," akin to Pandora's box, aptly describes the work and lifestyle of many young people today, including artists. Young people may squander time, live for entertainment, and go astray, but they also fight bravely, unleash creativity, and forge ahead with enthusiasm.

This exhibition is named "Dopamine," and the participating young artists each exude a unique, excitement-laden aura. They are distinct, avant-garde, and self-chasing, sometimes even frantically sleepless. They might experience fleeting impulsive mistakes and unruly pride, but they are no longer merely conforming to, indulging in, and pursuing this trend-driven, screen-dominated, entertainment-first, and materialistic era. Nor do they blindly follow traditional paths, but rather persist in their own ways, often as if they are injected with "stimulants," walking their own paths, and using their unique creative languages and actions to respond to the complexities of the world.

These six young artists have diverse creations, inspirations, and focus points. Lülü, an artist based in Nanjing, engages in a wide range of media, including paintings, performances, videos, and installations. His works often focus on the interconnectedness between individuals, groups, and the world, exploring the complex living conditions and emotional changes of individuals in the current era, reflecting on the joys and sorrows of daily life and work. Similarly, Nanjing artist Ye Xiaokai, through relatively figurative painting language, incorporates elements of trends, surrealism, and pop art, contemplating any sensory stimuli, including legendary figures like David Bowie, trendy toys, and strangers encountered on journeys.

Shi Zhan, who lived in Germany and Italy for many years, is passionate about painting, blending Leipzig School, pop art, neo-expressionism, street graffiti, and surrealism. His bold and striking colors dissect the current commercial material era, presenting whimsical and seemingly random combinations that hide subtle logic and provoke thought. After returning from Maryland Institute College of Art, Liu Tianming is currently a doctoral student at Tsinghua University Academy of Arts and Design, shuttling between Shenzhen and Beijing. His works often use diverse color blocks and lines to form a unique abstract vocabulary, critically reflecting on the colorful yet confusing internet era and visual world.

Beijing artist Sun Xunzhi, who studied and worked in California, was also subtly influenced by his psychologist mother. His works, often using a monochromatic palette, express rich inner tensions related to family, study abroad experiences, community, identity, and memories. Yang Jingxian completed her master’s degree at Camberwell College of Arts during the UK's pandemic period. Her recent creations, based on her actions and daily experiences, combine virtual games, online software, videos, multimedia, and interactive technology to address issues of surveillance, images, interpersonal relationships, online life, the pandemic's impact, and the resulting public states.

These artists, each with their own backgrounds and stories, are naturally attracted and impacted by different things and events, then become obsessed with exploring and reflecting on the world in their preferred ways. This process brings them joy and prevents fatigue, as if they are constantly filled with positive "dopamine."

Following last year's "Whispering Daggers" youth art exhibition, this exhibition is the second edition of the Southern Visual Art Museum's Youth Art Project, continuing its focus on unique young artist groups and ecosystems. Many passionate and ambitious young people refuse to live mundane lives, seeking change and breakthroughs. Doesn't this world sometimes need some positive, alternative, innovative, and vigorous "dopamine"? Without breaking the mold, the world would no longer be "fun." "Dopamine," please don’t stop!