Hui Li’s current exhibition – paradise lost, at Unit London until 19 January – takes cues from John Milton’s epic poem, and Cantonese songwriter Wyman Wong: “Cantonese music played a huge part in my inspirations, and Wong’s his beautifully written, poem-like lyrics that explain heartfelt human relationships.” These references from different ages reflect the perennial contradictions of life in a world that is both beguiling and confounding, beautiful and cruel. “In other words, paradise lost is about letting pain and suffering cycle back and forth to reflect how happiness is limited. I’m extremely emotionally driven when it comes to working on my painting.”

The charged, replete symbolism of the colour red also takes centrestage in paradise lost, with works playing on the various cross-cultural interpretations and resonances of the colour, from danger, blood and anger to vitality, passion and love. Combined with the intense movements Hui Li creates with textiles – they appear to pulsate and swirl with a vibrant liquidity – they can appear at once menancing, chaotic and tender.

Curator, author and artist Ferren Gipson is Hui Li’s champion for The Wick, who agrees Hui Li’s process is raw and impassioned. “There is a soul-bearing and vulnerable genuineness to Amy’s work that I appreciate”, she says. “Even without much context around her pieces, I think most viewers would immediately get the sense that these paintings are cathartic and expressive. When I met with Amy in her studio, she was at once shy and emotionally open, and in a similar set of contrasts, her approach to creating is simultaneously methodical and intuitive. Much of her work seems to exist in an in-between place, which is beautifully evidenced in how her pieces are a blend of painting, textiles, and sculpture. I tend to enjoy when an artist’s practice skirts easy categorisation as Amy’s work does because some of the most fascinating things in life can be found in liminal spaces.”

paradise lost is Hui Li’s first solo exhibition in London – the young artist only graduated from the RCA’s Painting MA last year. The series of work “showcases the two different but connected outcomes of my work”, Hui Li explains. It’s been a resounding success – but now Hui Li faces the daunting challenge of a tabula rasa once more. “My studio is pretty empty at the moment. A brand new series of work needs to be created indeed. I am taking it slow and considering adding a new colour palette for my next steps.”