As queen of the kooky and macabre, Xue is known for her quirky paintings. The former fashionista fuses supernatural themes and a sugar-sweet colour palette to create irresistible lowbrow pop surrealist pieces.
“My take on ghosts is perhaps a little tinged with light heartedness. These are not demons who threaten us mortals. But their merry mischief undoes our sense of everyday security. They rummage in our larders, shin their way up our drainpipes and play havoc with domestic bliss. As these spooks creep among us we needn’t shrink from them but welcome their witty messages from the other side!”
SHADOW PLAY Limited Edition Canvas on Board of 9 | 30” x 23” | Framed £695
SUNDAY ROAST Limited Edition Canvas on Board of 9 | 30” x 30” | Framed £795
FEEDING TIME Limited Edition Canvas on Board of 9 | 30” x 25” | Framed £750
HUSH... Limited Edition Canvas on Board of 9 | 30” x 26” | Framed £750
BIO
FAVOURITE ARTISTS & INSPIRATION: Corot, Pissaro, Frida Kahlo, Henry Dagar, Alfred Kubin and Mark Ryden. Xue often uses her dolls and various toys when planning out and making preliminary sketches of her work, and keeps a collection of - what some might say are - bizarre reference objects including: A stuffed cobra, a fox skull (found - no foxes Born in Northern China, 1980 - ‘The year of the mischievous Monkey’ As the Chinese population is Government controlled, with each family only being allowed one child, Xue created a world for herself as a small girl with the dolls and toys she had, in lieu of the siblings she would never have.These childhood friends and allies feature heavily in her work to this day. Xue’s original desire to be a seamstress began when she started making clothes for her dolls, although she latterly followed her heart into Art as opposed to Fashion.The dolls have since become an integral part of her work which, when entwined with her thoughts and influences, create her captivating yet somewhat unsettling imagery. Xue’s artistic background was originally in fashion. After a BA degree in Fashion in China, she came to London in 2002 and finished her MA in the same field at Westminster University. Painting and drawing, playing around with ideas, juxtaposing images and allowing her imagination free rein have all helped guide her development.The self-reflective intimacy of art,
which has always been latent within her, forced a transition from fashion to painting. “I see art as a more direct way to express my creative ideas.” This collection is inspired by silver screen Hollywood iconography. It continues a long-held fascination with vintage memorabilia and the shadowy world of the childhood unconscious. Some of the images utilise a monochrome palette to impart a ‘period feel’ to the theme.The cinematic elements here are tinged with darkness in dramatic Hitchcockian studio lighting that accentuates each figure in this collection. Xue’s creative impulse is driven by a fascination with childhood paraphernalia: dolls, toys, fairy tales, stage sets, fun fairs, found objects mixed with whimsy.These personal recollections are complimented by the cultural heritage of Victoriana, vintage fashion, film noir and iconic pin-up imagery. “We cannot escape the past and our sweet yesterdays, whether imagined or real, are my repository.”
were harmed intentionally!), a box of dead bumblebees, a ball of dog fur (her own dog!). Depending on its size, each painting takes between 80-120 hours to complete. Xue uses multiple layers of glazes when producing her paintings.
PAST EXHIBITIONS:
2014: Narcissess: Rotofugi Gallery, Chicago, USA. 14 March - 6 April (solo show)
2013: Zodiac: Auguste Clown Gallery, Victoria, Australia | 15 - 31 November | group show Heebie-Jeebies: George Thornton Art Gallery, Nottingham, UK | 05 - 13 October | solo show The Blab!: Copro Gallery, California, USA 14 September - 05 November | group show Under My Skin: Collection UK Bristol, UK | 26 - 28 April Futurology: Copro Gallery, California, USA | 23 March - 13 April | group show Time Off For Good Behavior: Copro Gallery, California, USA | 23 February - 16 March | solo show The Painted Sound: Flower Pepper Gallery, USA | 26 Jan- 28th Feb | group show (In Collaboration With Dorothy Circus Gallery, Rome, Italy
2012: The Illumination: Copro Gallery, California, USA | December | group show WhatThe Dickens!: George Thornton Art Gallery, Nottingham, UK | 26 May | solo show International Woman: Warrington Museum and Art Gallery, UK | 29 March - July 7 | group show 2011: The Unclouded Mind: Copro Gallery, California, USA | December | solo show Lynchism: George Thornton Art Gallery, Nottingham, UK December | group show Genesis To Revelation: Copro Gallery, California, USA | July | group show ComingToTown: London Miles Gallery, London, UK | June | dual show Guilty Pleasures &Modern Vices: London Miles Gallery, London, UK | June | group show Literal.eyes: London Miles Gallery, London, UK | May | group show 2010: (Wtf Is) Lowbrow: London Miles Gallery, London, UK | December 2010 | group show The Idol Hours: London Miles Gallery, London, UK | November 2010 | group show Made In Britain: London Miles Gallery, London, UK | September 52Nd Essex Open Art Exhibition: Beecroft Gallery, Westcliff, UK | June Worcester Open Art Exhibition Pitt: Gallery, Worcester | April
The images contained within this literature are an artistic representation of the collection. To best experience our art, we recommend you contact your local gallery to arrange a viewing. © Washington Green 2014. The content of this brochure is subject to copyright and no part can be reproduced withiut prior permission
This collection is inspired by silver screen Hollywood iconography. It continues a long-held fascination with vintage memorabilia and the shadowy world of the childhood unconscious. Some of the images used a monochrome palette to impart a ‘period feel’ to the theme. The cinematic elements are here tinged with darkness in dramatic Hitchcockian studio lighting which accentuates each figure in these works...
Page 1 Page 2-3 Page 4-5 Page 6-7 Page 8-9 Page 10-11 Page 12-13 Page 14-15 Page 16-17 Page 18-19 Page 20-21 Page 22Made with FlippingBook - Online magazine maker