In the Presence of Absence serves as a metaphor for the Chinese silk paintings stored in the British Museum that have undergone inappropriate repairs. Climate change has further necessitated more frequent restoration of artifacts. This project acts as an extended studio for the museum, facilitating the temporary restoration, sending, and receiving of silk paintings from around the world. The programme portrays a narrative of friction, symbolising modern cultural exchanges between Britain and China in a globalised context.

Beginning with conservator Ms. Jinxian Qiu's second home in 1987, the building expands to include a Painting Museum in 2023. It challenges the conventional approach to "viewing" artifacts in museums by stimulating the public's eye through an immersive theatre experience that "exhibits" the performative restoration process during evenings. Through the architecture, visitors uncover the essence of Chinese aesthetics. The restoration process of silk paintings, unveiled to the public, offers insights into Chinese pre-modern art and architecture. This inclusive experience fosters a greater appreciation and enables further research in the field.