Time flies. It has been three years since Xing Wan quietly left us, yet I always feel you are still somewhere on Earth. You were like a migratory bird, constantly flying back and forth. When not in Taiwan caring for your elderly mother or organizing your father’s studio and works, you wandered the ends of the earth, seeking and creating, attempting to affirm the essence of existence and the meaning of life through this journey. No matter where you were, you never forgot to express precious human friendship. I would often receive small cards, exhibition invitations, or photographs you took to share with me from afar. This sincere and pure friendship and emotion are something I can never forget in my life.

Whenever you resided at artist residencies in various parts of Europe, you would always invite me. Of course, when you passed through or stayed in Paris to create, you would visit my home, bringing us surprise and joy. You never failed to bring some hometown-flavored food to relieve my homesickness, as well as small gifts for my wife and daughter. Each visit, we talked until we ran out of words, sharing your experiences of artistic and personal growth again and again. Whenever passing through Paris, we would visit galleries together; occasionally, we would take walks and drink coffee. You loved the poetic and free days in Paris, perhaps the best time for your self-exile (because you liked being yourself). Upon arriving in Paris, you were always busy visiting exhibitions and watching movies, almost neglecting sleep and meals, which made people worry slightly. You devoted most of your time to art creation with unflagging enthusiasm. Silent, soundless self-dialogue became your creative ritual, soaring in your metaphysical painting world became your life’s realm.

After a while, you had to leave Paris. You would always invite me to visit again to share your creations from those days. Before leaving, I would always take a few photos of materials as souvenirs. Now, I do not grieve your departure; it is as if you have confidently embarked on another journey to the ends of the earth. I am often aware that you have not truly left, because whenever we see your works, photos, art books, talk about you, or think of you, it seems you are still with us. Because I know that eternal memory is part of life’s existence. Because our cherished friendship holds deeper significance. Because in life’s journey, there will come a day when we meet again.

I hope you are peaceful and free in that pure land, still focusing on your artistic creation. Do not forget that one day I will visit you, and we will go to art exhibitions and take walks together. Every time I visited your studio, I was amazed by the discoveries, sharing your artistic creation experiences and insights into life. On this third anniversary commemoration, I dedicate this text with my true feelings.