10 Questions with Shuai Xu

Al-Tiba9 Art Magazine ISSUE11 | Featured Artist

Shuai Xu’s current works focus on the invisible world, and much of his inspiration comes from his dreams. He is interested in humanity's relationship to the cosmos, particularly as it plays out here on Earth, in the relationship between individuals and nature. He hopes to explore his interior world more deeply while expanding outward, to engage society and beyond.

He hopes that his works will move viewers away from cynicism and contempt, creating the opportunity to experience moments of contemplation and reflection. His desire is to begin to understand—and invite others to understand—the relationship between human beings and nature, the universe, and the meaning of our existence in the universe—in short, to explore the self.

www.shuai-xu.com | @xushuai_studio

ARTIST STATEMENT

His paintings lead him to create works of land art. Since a painting is a limited space that allows the imagination limitless freedom, this allowed him to freely conceive various landscapes in his mind. In a sense, painting sometimes functions for the artist as a sketch or a study for a work of land art. His land art uses the land as a canvas to form a visually vast landscape. This allows Shuai Xu to explore the relationship between human beings and nature and even between human beings and the universe. Whether his works originate in dreams or the vastness of the cosmos, they come from otherwise invisible worlds. These realities are often overlooked by society at large, but they are the focus of the artist's work.

***4C+37.11***, Chemical fiber, Nylon rope, 2021 © Shuai Xu

INTERVIEW

Could you tell us a little bit about your background and studies? What kind of education or training helped you develop your approach to art?

I have had a keen interest in art since I was a child and had been learning to draw since I was young. I hold a Bachelor of Arts in Oil painting as well as a Master of Fine Arts in Art. Regarding external factors, I have had professional art study and training, and my family and professors have always supported my artistic endeavors. From an internal standpoint, I am always inspired to create art. I enjoy self-expression and conveying emotions through art.

You are a multidisciplinary artist who works with painting and land art. What is your preferred medium of choice? How is your approach different when working with painting compared to land art?

I enjoy creating art in various mediums, including painting, land art, installations, video, etc. Different creative concepts or themes will determine which artistic medium I will use first to express myself. In contrast to land art, painting is, for me, a method of organizing thoughts and communicating emotions. Painting allows me to create an infinite number of possibilities within the confines of the canvas. Land art is limitless and allows me to precisely construct the particular, limited material form I wish to convey in an infinite space.

Is there any other medium or technique you would like to experiment with?

I am currently very interested in art forms generated by AI algorithms and bio-art.

What is your aim as an artist? What would you like the public to get away from your work?

My art is primarily concerned with the invisible realm, and I wish to explore with the general public the concept of a universe that exists beyond the realm of physical form.

Where do you get your inspiration for your works?

Dreams are the source of creativity for my work.

Your statement says, "My land art uses the land as a canvas to form a visually vast landscape. This allows me to explore the relationship between human beings and nature and between human beings and the universe." How do you work on a land art piece? Can you walk us through the project, from the concept to the final realization?

Creating works of land art can be difficult at times, and a great deal of thought must be given to practical concerns. Painting is an essential component of this procedure. Dreams are a major source of inspiration for me. Dreams inspire me to paint, and I end up drawing what I dream up. Paintings can also be viewed as idealized manifestations of my land art. Thus, I was finally able to realize my land art piece, which had emerged in reality.

Let's talk about promotion. How do you keep people engaged in your work? Does any gallery represent you, or do you participate in online events and exhibitions?

I have attended various exhibitions, including 2022 'Open Call 2022' at Red Bluff Art Gallery; 2021 Photosynthesis contemporary art exhibition. Shenzhen, China; 2017 Los Angeles Contemporary Art Invitational Exhibition;2017 'Unbounded' art exhibition organized by the United Nations; 2017 'Inter-youth' exhibition of China Academy of Art, and many others.
I had my solo exhibition "Weaving Dreams" at the Neon Moon Art Gallery in 2021, which was part of Claremont's "Art Walk" month.
In addition, my work has been featured in a variety of print and online publications, including but not limited to Al-Tiba9 contemporary art magazine, Booooooom, Contemporary Art Curator Magazine, CFA ART IDEAL Magazine, Artistonish Magazine, Voyage Ohio, Circle Spotlight Contemporary Art Magazine, Chinese News USA, American Art Collection, and others.
Currently, I am not represented by any gallery. I would be thrilled if people purchased my artwork, and I would be happy to collaborate with galleries if they desired.

What about the future? What are you working on now, and what are your plans or new projects coming up this year?

I currently work as a freelance artist, and I am always producing new work. I am currently attempting to produce paintings by utilizing traditional methods of painting with tempera, and this year I am also learning how to use artificial intelligence to generate artwork.

What do you hope to accomplish in 2022, both in terms of career goals and personal life?

My goal is to have a bigger number of people become familiar with my work so that I may better express myself and communicate with a more widespread audience.

Finally, where do you see yourself and your art five years from now?

I have built a strong reputation in the realm of art, and I am grateful for what I have been able to do up to this point. I want to maintain the high quality of work I've been doing recently and continue making headway in my professional life. In the next five years, my goal is to get my present work published all across the world and maybe even in the most remote parts of the universe. In addition, I wish to broaden the range of artistic fields in which I am successful, as well as the scope of my artistic expertise. I also want to be able to produce more works in a wider variety of art forms, such as artificial intelligence art or bio-art, and I want to be able to do it skillfully.

Artist’s Talk

Al-Tiba9 Interviews is a promotional platform for artists to articulate their vision and engage them with our diverse readership through a published art dialogue. The artists are interviewed by Mohamed Benhadj, the founder & curator of Al-Tiba9, to highlight their artistic careers and introduce them to the international contemporary art scene across our vast network of museums, galleries, art professionals, art dealers, collectors, and art lovers across the globe.

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