Yun-Fei Ji draws on the structures and symbols of folkloric traditions to challenge those in power. His paintings, populated with ghosts, demons, and other spectral beings, often serve as symbolic critiques of oppressive systems and forms of resistance. In his ink and watercolor works, these haunting figures represent the complex political forces and cultural struggles shaping rural communities in a rapidly changing world.

Ji’s inspiration comes from the ghost stories he encountered while growing up in the countryside during the late Chinese Cultural Revolution. Using the traditional stacked perspective and flattened space of classical Chinese painting, he tells modern stories that, though rooted in specific locations, resonate with universal human experiences. His art often reflects the political landscapes of both the US and China, conveyed through metaphor and allusion. His works have a satirical edge, with a fondness for the grotesque balanced by humor and deep irony. Each piece acts as an act of resistance, highlighting the importance of preserving stories of displacement and environmental damage.