Chinese Zodiac Animal Jacket on show at Issy Wood: Good Clean Fun, at the X Museum in Beijing. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

Hung on the museum's grayish terracotta walls, Wood's work, against the space's muted lighting, emanates a sense of sadness.

"The sadness characteristic of Wood's painting is reminiscent of the mono-no-aware in Japanese culture," said curatorial assistant Yang Yuqing. "The term refers to people's gentle wistfulness caused by realizing the impermanence of things."

Also on show is an installation comprising a dozen vintage suits, each painted with a certain Chinese zodiac animal and corresponding years. Titled Chinese Zodiac Animal Jacket, the series was tailor-made for the artist's China solo, according to the curators.