Leah Ke Yi Zheng at Renaissance Society in Chicago
The Renaissance Society (Chicago) will present the first solo institutional exhibition of Leah Ke Yi Zheng (b. 1988)—a pivotal moment in the artist’s career and a major new commission for the Ren.
Titled “Change, I Ching (64 Paintings)” (January 10 through April 12, 2026) the exhibition comprises a complete series of 64 paintings, each corresponding to a hexagram from the I Ching (Book of Changes), a foundational text of classical Chinese philosophy. Rather than literal interpretation, each painting develops its own visual language shaped by abstraction, intuition, and the interplay of light and material.
Working with translucent silk, hardwood, and hand-built stretchers, Zheng, who lives and works in Chicago, merges traditional Chinese techniques with conceptual art methodologies to explore transformation, multiplicity, and the logic of impermanence. Her practice—deeply informed by thinkers such as composer John Cage and philosopher Yuk Hui—is grounded in a dialogue between Eastern and Western philosophies. Here, the I Ching serves not merely as reference, but as method, structure, and philosophical companion.
Curated by Myriam Ben Salah and Karsten Lund, Zheng’s Change, “I Ching (64 Paintings)” represents a defining moment in her rapidly expanding career. Following recent exhibitions at Mendes Wood DM (New York) and Emanuel Layr (Vienna), her Renaissance Society presentation marks Zheng’s first museum solo exhibition and the most ambitious project of her career to date.
The exhibition will be followed by a richly illustrated catalogue featuring full-color reproductions of all 64 works, a reprint of the I Ching, and newly commissioned essays providing critical and historical context. Published by the Renaissance Society and distributed internationally by the University of Chicago Press, the volume will expand the intellectual reach of the project.
ABOUT THE RENAISSANCE SOCIETY
The Renaissance Society is an independent, non-collecting museum that presents contemporary art exhibitions, events, and publications. The Renaissance Society was founded by a group of University of Chicago faculty in 1915, making it one of the oldest contemporary art institutions in the United States.
The name references their intention to create a space in which to foster engagement with new ideas in arts and culture. In the early 20th century, the Renaissance Society played a key role in bringing avant-garde practices to Chicago. More recently, it has commissioned important exhibitions for contemporary artists such as Kerry James Marshall, Felix Gonzalez-Torres, Kara Walker, Diane Severin Nguyen, Meriem Bennani, and many others.
As it continues this history, the Renaissance Society is at its core a space of possibility. For artists it offers an unfettered platform for bold experimentation.
