Xiaowei Chen

Xiaowei Chen

Born	Born 1978 (age 46)Boston, US
Education	BA Institute of Graphic Communication
Website	http://www.xiaowei-art.com/works.html

Introduction

Xiaowei Chen (born 1978) is a contemporary Chinese artist whose work encompasses painting, etching, video and sculpture. Her creations explore the interconnections between the natural environment, natural disasters and human thought while reflecting a deep concern for social and environmental issues.

Biography

Early Life and Education: Xiaowei Chen born in 1978, Beijing, China, graduated from BA Institute of Graphic Communication (Beijing, China) in 2000, specializing in graphic communication.

Career Transition: Chen transitioned from a television production career to a full-time artist. Her journey highlights her versatile talents and unwavering commitment to artistic expression. After earning her Bachelor's Degree from the Beijing Institute of Graphic Communication in 2000, she immersed herself in the world of television production. For five years, she has worked as a producer and director of independent documentaries. During this time, she honed her storytelling, visual composition and thematic exploration skills. Her career has been marked by a keen interest in narratives, particularly those that dig deeper into the human experience and broader social context. Her experience in television and documentary filmmaking has enabled her to explore diverse themes, providing her with a unique perspective and artistic skills that have shaped her creative practice. At the same time, as a documentary filmmaker, Chan has dealt with people from different backgrounds and social statuses, addressing complex issues such as poverty from multiple perspectives. This exposure has given her a nuanced understanding of cause and effect and the unseen logics and mechanisms that shape our world, driving her shift from storytelling in film to expressing these themes through the visual arts. Chan's work in painting and other media is an extension of her documentary background, where she explored the multifaceted nature of the human experience. Her transition to art is driven by a desire to delve into the abstract and the concrete, the macro and the micro. In her art, she seeks to capture seemingly transcendent perspectives of existence, echoing the repetitive and interconnected behaviors observed in the universe, nature, human beings, and other life forms. Through her unique perspective, Chen's art invites viewers to contemplate the broader meaning of our actions and the interconnectedness of all things, taking a fragmented and collective approach to exploring the complexities of life. Her artistic expression blends her documentary insights with a profound inquiry into the nature of the universe.

Artistic Media

• Drawing

In the realm of painting, Xiaowei Chen demonstrates a mastery of color, form, and expressive techniques.Chen's tendency to work with large-scale canvases provides her with ample space to reveal delicate details and intricate motifs, and her work often blends traditional and contemporary painting techniques, revealing a unique visual language.

Through her sensitive use of light, shadow, texture and color, Chen creates visual effects that are rich in layers and depth, and her work often provokes the viewer to reflect on the relationship between existence and disappearance, harmony and conflict. In major works, such as her solo exhibitions "Everlasting Flora" and "Endless Points", Chen demonstrates her exploration and achievement in the field of painting. These works not only demonstrate her observation and embodiment of the natural world, but also reflect her deeper thoughts on the cycle of life and human existence.

• Etching

Xiaowei Chen's exploration of etching is also an important aspect of her multifaceted career, demonstrating her ability to combine traditional techniques with her unique thematic concerns. In her etchings, Chen employs a meticulous and meticulous approach that allows her to create the intricate details and subtle gradations that characterize this printmaking technique.Chen's etching technique involves a careful process of engraving on a sheet of metal (usually copper or zinc), which is then treated with acid to etch the design into the surface. This technique allows her to achieve a level of detail and texture that is difficult to replicate in other mediums. Her control of the etching process, from the initial sketch to the final print, demonstrates her mastery and deep understanding of the medium. Notable works include the Petrified Encounter series, which are not only visually compelling, but rich in meaning and context. Her etchings invite the viewer to delve into a layered world where the lines between the natural and the artificial, the ephemeral and the eternal, blur, encouraging deeper reflection on our place in the natural world and our interaction with it.

• Sculpture

Xiaowei Chen's innovative approach to sculpture demonstrates her commitment to integrating her drawing skills into three-dimensional forms, as exemplified in her unique "Feathers" series. Chen's use of thin, flexible Plexiglas as a canvas for her paintings allows her to bring the complexity of two-dimensional work into the realm of sculpture. After applying paint to the plexiglass, she carefully sculpts using sub-millimeter needle tools to create detailed and textured designs that maintain the essence of her painting technique. These painted Plexiglas works are realized by cutting, bending and fixing the space, resulting in forms that occupy and interact with the environment in new ways. This process not only preserves the visual and thematic depth of her paintings, but also adds a dynamic physical presence. The "Feathers" series also symbolizes Chen's search for freedom, which resonates with her broader artistic inquiry into nature, human thought, and the order of the universe. Chen introduces the elements of illumination and reflection in her "Feathers" sculptures by incorporating LED lights and mirrors. The lights highlight the intricate details and contrasting colors in her works, while the mirrors create a perspective between the sculptures and their surroundings, emphasizing the theme of freedom and the interconnectedness of space and perspective.

• Video and Film

Xiaowei Chen utilizes the mediums of video and film to create immersive experiences that engage the viewer on multiple sensory levels. In her visual narratives, she often intertwines the abstract with the concrete, using image, sound and movement to explore her central themes. More than just visual narratives, her film and video artworks are layered with meaning, inviting the viewer to engage in a contemplative exploration of the themes she depicts. In the film Xiao-Ye Bought A House, young painter Xiao-Ye wants a studio of her own in the Beijing real estate market. The movie shows the conflict between human struggles, dreams and the harshness of reality. Xiaowei Chen's choice to focus on this narrative highlights her interest in exploring the boundaries of personal freedom, artistic integrity, and the influence of external forces on individual choices.

Artistic Themes

Xiaowei Chen's artistic themes focus on exploring the interconnections between the natural environment, natural disasters and the human mind. She expresses these themes through multimedia art forms such as video, painting and sculpture. Her works often reflect in-depth contemplation of the intricate relationships between these elements, revealing the intrinsic connection between nature and human experience. In her paintings and large-scale works, one can see her fine observation of the natural world and her deep insight into human emotions and thought processes. Through these works, Xiaowei Chen not only demonstrates her pursuit of aesthetics, but also expresses her concern and reflection on the environment, disasters, and the role of human beings in them. Her art aims to provoke the viewer to think about the interactions between nature and mankind, to challenge the viewer's conventional understanding of these themes, and to stimulate a deeper exploration of the world we live in. Through her unique perspective and approach, Chen Xiaowei's work offers viewers a new way to experience and understand the complexity of the natural world and human experience.

Exhibitions

2004 Traditional Chinese Painting Show, Catsup Gallery, Beijing, China

2005 Works of Song Zhuang Artists, Song Zhuang, Beijing, China

2006 Present Tense, artSPACE@16, Malden, MA

2007 (Solo) Daba Doodle, artSPACE@16, Malden, MA

2008 Artadia Awards, Mills Gallery, Boston, MA

2008 Xiao Ye Bought a House, screening at Mills Gallery, Boston, MA

2009 Mother/mother-*, A.I.R Gallery, Brooklyn, NY

2009 Art of the Northeast, Silvermine Guild Arts Center, New Canaan, CT

2009 Tufts Sixth Annual Summer Juried Exhibition, TUFTS UNIVERSITY ART GALLERY, Medford, MA

2009 4 solo, 13 Forest Gallery, Arlington, MA

2009 Balance-Mothers Who Create, TLGUTS Gallery, Lynn, MA

2010 (Solo) TLGUTS Gallery, Lynn, MA

2011 Facets of Figuration, The Metropolitan Museum of Art, NY

2011 Conversations Around Drawing, Visiting Artist Lecture, School of the Museum of Fine Arts, MA

2012 Interconnected Segment, ARTGATE GALLERY, New York, NY

Xiaowei Chen, HALO I (2012)

2012 Facets of Figuration II, (Art)Amalgamated, New York, NY

2013 Story of the Creative, See | Exhibition Space, New York, NY

2013 Beyond the Line, The COOHAUS RESIDENCY ARTIST FOR 2013, New York, NY

2013 (Solo) Beyond the Clouds, Maya Polsky Gallery, Chicago, IL

2013 In-formal abstraction, (Art) Amalgamated, New York, NY

2013 (Solo) Above and Below the Clouds, The Research House for Asian Art, Chicago, IL

2013 Wheaton Biennial: Drawing Out of Bounds, Wheaton BEARD&WEIL GALLERIES, Norton, MA

2014, Gong Ju International Art Show, Limlip art Museum, Chungnam, Korea

2014 “If I want blue, I paint with orange”, solo exhibition, 49B studios, Brooklyn, NY

2014 ReBecoming, a Multi-media Performance, 49B studios, Brooklyn, NY

2014 ART:I:CURATE NY EXHIBITION, The Nolitan, New York, NY

2014 Painting Intricacies, Nave Gallery Annex, Somerville, MA

2015 "Inner Reflection". AroundSpace, Shanghai, China

2015 PROMPT, 13 Forest Gallery, Arlington,MA

2015 Open call: NNE(North Northeast), Brattleboro Museum, Brattleboro, VT

2016 solo show Xiaowei Chen work on paper, Boston city hall, Boston, MA

2016 Shanghai Contemporary art exhibition, DUOYUNXUAN art center, Shanghai, China

2016 Far and Wide, WAAM MUSEUM, Woodstock, NY

2016 The 75th Regional Exhibition, ARNOT ART MUSEUM, Elmira, NY

2016 "Circle Lines", Hurun Art Foundation London Exhibition2016, London, UK

2017 3 Solos, The Re Institute, Millerton, NY

2017 The Arte Laguna Prize, Nappe Arsenale and TIM Future Center, Venice, Italy

2017 Organic Chaos, AroundSpace Gallery, Shanghai, China

2017 Building Bridges NOT Walls, Williamsburg Art and Historical Center, New York, NY

2017 Art on Paper Fair, New York, NY

2018 Size Matters, 100 Bogart Street Gallery, Brooklyn, NY

2018 The 4th Annual Hand Pulled Prints, SITE: BROOKLYN, Brooklyn, NY

2018 “Pop Goes The Wesel”, Williamsburg Art & Historical Center, Brooklyn, NY

2018 Art on Paper Fair, New York, NY

2018 THE BOSTON PRINTMAKERS 2017 NORTH AMERICAN PRINT BIENNIAL, Lesley University Art Galleries,Cambridge, MA.

2019 Art Olympia 2019, Tokyo Metropolitan Art Museum,Taito City, Japan

2019 Women Forward, Part 2 Innovative Women, Williamsburg Art & Historical Center, Brooklyn, NY

2019 Solo show - Endless Points, AroundSpace Gallery, Shanghai, China

2020 Solo show [ Rebecoming ] , PeepShow Space, Brooklyn, NY

Xiaowei Chen, The Eternal Flowers

2020 NYRCA, New York Research of Contemporary Arts, New Yark, NY

2020 Shiny Art Festival, On-line art with DongSen Game Cross-border cooperotion, Shanghai, China

2020 An Unlimited Checklist, AroundSpace Gallery, Shanghai, China

2021 DnA SHENZHEN 2021, Shenzhen, China

2021 UTOPIA X DYSTOPIA, Pellas Gallery, Boston, MA

2021 HER POWER Art online show, The HK Art of Nature International Feminist Art Research Society, HK, China

2021 PULSE 2021, AroundSpace Gallery, Shanghai, China

2022 …And the pursuit of - , The Research House For Asian Art, Chicago, IL

2022 Kameyama Triennale 2022, Kameyama, Japan

2022 The Voice of Silence: A Series of Chinese Art Invitational Exhibitions, H Foundations, Los Angeles, CA

2023 Art on paper Fair, New York, NY

2023 Solo show [ Everlasting Flora], AroundSpace Living, Shanghai, China.

2023 The Eye of Memory, AroundSpare, Shanghai, China.

2023 No3 [Using the topic to play], Liu Haisu Art Museum, Shanghai, China.

Awards and Honors

2000 8th French Mobius International Interactive Multimedia Design Awards, China 2nd Place, Beijing, China

2003 China Multimedia Design&Motion Picture Competition, 3rd Place, Beijing, China

2004 Liang Dian Awards for Design and Production of Television Programs, 1st Place, Kunming, China

2007 Artadia Awards (2007 Boston), New York, NY

2009 Honorable Mention, TLGUTS Gallery, Lynn, MA

2011 Artadia New York Artist Residency 2011, Brooklyn, NY

2013 The COOHAUS RESIDENCY ARTIST FOR 2013, New York, NY

2014 49B Studio Residency 2014, Brooklyn, NY

2015 Vloume thirty, Studio visit magazine, Boston, MA

2016 The 75th Regional Exhibition, ARNOT ART MUSEUM, Elmira, NY

2017 The Arte Laguna Prize, Nappe Arsenale and TIM Future Center, Venice, Italy

2019 Art Olympia 2019 Prize, Tokyo Metropolitan Art Museum,Taito City, Japan

Influence

Xiaowei Chen's art style and influence are distinctly reflected in her interdisciplinary approach, merging her background in documentary filmmaking with her pursuits in painting, sculpture and mixed media art. Her style is a unique blend of narrative narration and abstract expressionism as she explores the intricate relationship between humans, nature and the universe. Chen's work resonates with a wide range of audiences, influencing both the art world and its viewers by prompting them to consider the interconnectedness of human behavior and the environment. Her ability to transcend mediums while maintaining a cohesive thematic focus demonstrates her impact as an artist who pushes traditional boundaries and encourages a multi-dimensional engagement with art.

External Links

Official Website:  http://www.xiaowei-art.com/works.html

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chen_xiaowei_art/