From Butcher to Painter: Cao Zhi-ling's Solo Exhibition 'Palpitation' Interweaves Light and Shadow
Painter Cao Zhi-ling, who once worked as a butcher, is now holding a solo exhibition titled 'Palpitation.' The exhibition showcases her two decades of artistic creation, focusing on flowers and portraits, influenced by her studies in photography and visual communication.
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- 📰 Published: April 12, 2026 at 15:53
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Painter Cao Zhi-ling told CNA that she loved drawing since childhood and began seriously studying art in college. However, her family believed that being a painter might lead to poverty, urging her to pursue a job that could earn money, thus interrupting her desire to paint.
Cao Zhi-ling said that she later married a beef farmer in Huwei, Yunlin, and worked as a butcher in the market, often cutting her hands. Her husband, feeling sorry for her, as she was originally meant to hold a paintbrush, encouraged her to 'put down the butcher knife' and continue painting, a pursuit she has maintained for over two decades.
Cao Zhi-ling stated that she graduated from the Department of Visual Communication Arts and Design at Tungfang Design Institute (later Tungfang University). Through diverse courses such as sketching, printmaking, spatial design, and photography, she continuously expanded her creative horizons. Her study of photography, in particular, made her more sensitive to capturing fleeting emotions and changes in light and shadow, which became important nourishment for her later painting creations.
Cao Zhi-ling said her main creations are flowers and portraits. She also enjoys depicting the light and shadow of nature. A painting exhibited today, 'Glimpse of Maple Light,' was inspired by seeing sunlight filtering through tree leaves while picking maple leaves in Shanlinxi.
Cao Zhi-ling mentioned that she is currently pursuing a master's degree in the Creative Group of the Department of Visual Arts at National Chiayi University, continuously deepening her creative research in figure painting and the expression of inner emotions, gradually establishing her own artistic language and creative context.
Cao Zhi-ling's solo exhibition 'Palpitation' runs from now until April 30, curated by Su Chin-mao, chairman of the Chiayi City Calligraphy Association. An opening tea party was held today, attracting a large audience to appreciate her realistic and abstract works. (Edited by Chen Jen-hua) 1150412
Cao Zhi-ling said that she later married a beef farmer in Huwei, Yunlin, and worked as a butcher in the market, often cutting her hands. Her husband, feeling sorry for her, as she was originally meant to hold a paintbrush, encouraged her to 'put down the butcher knife' and continue painting, a pursuit she has maintained for over two decades.
Cao Zhi-ling stated that she graduated from the Department of Visual Communication Arts and Design at Tungfang Design Institute (later Tungfang University). Through diverse courses such as sketching, printmaking, spatial design, and photography, she continuously expanded her creative horizons. Her study of photography, in particular, made her more sensitive to capturing fleeting emotions and changes in light and shadow, which became important nourishment for her later painting creations.
Cao Zhi-ling said her main creations are flowers and portraits. She also enjoys depicting the light and shadow of nature. A painting exhibited today, 'Glimpse of Maple Light,' was inspired by seeing sunlight filtering through tree leaves while picking maple leaves in Shanlinxi.
Cao Zhi-ling mentioned that she is currently pursuing a master's degree in the Creative Group of the Department of Visual Arts at National Chiayi University, continuously deepening her creative research in figure painting and the expression of inner emotions, gradually establishing her own artistic language and creative context.
Cao Zhi-ling's solo exhibition 'Palpitation' runs from now until April 30, curated by Su Chin-mao, chairman of the Chiayi City Calligraphy Association. An opening tea party was held today, attracting a large audience to appreciate her realistic and abstract works. (Edited by Chen Jen-hua) 1150412