In the confluence of pure painterliness and the artist's personal experience and interests, the image emerges naturally from the depths of his inner world, akin to a deep lake reflecting the absurdity and helplessness of life. The ripples break the stillness of the water surface, carrying an obsession with form, composition, and texture, with currents infused with the intrinsic interest of painting itself.
From "Two Confused Policemen" in 2014, "HOLY PAINTING" in 2015, "Penumbra Phase" in 2018, to today's "WAITING MAN," Liu Xia has gradually shifted from pure narrative imagery to a deeper exploration of the essence of painting. This transformation was not achieved overnight but rather evolved like a gentle stream over eight years, through the currents of life, contemplation, and rigorous study, eventually seeping into every piece of his work. Like water wearing down stone, Liu's persistent and determined reflection on painting has continuously influenced his creations, culminating in his latest works where two rivers converge.
As time has progressed, Liu's work has seen an accumulation of irrational colors. These colors intertwine and overlap on the canvas, creating complex and rich textures. The thick textures and layered materials not only add visual depth to the pieces but also endow them with a tangible reality, allowing viewers to perceive the intricate details through their visual senses.
The emotional tension and visual impact, enhanced by glazing techniques that produce textured effects, reflect Liu's further exploration of painting and his unique stylistic grasp. Each stroke and layer of color is a quest for the essence of painting and a deepening of self-expression. Through this approach, his work transcends traditional narrative constraints, entering a freer and more open artistic space. Here, the viewer is not merely a passive observer but actively engages with the artist's world through their perception of color and texture. This interaction and resonance lend Xia Liu's works a stronger magnetic appeal.
Navigating between two rivers flowing in different directions, Liu Xia drifts amid reason and emotion, order and chaos, seeking a followable wave amidst the conflict and finding a point of equilibrium in the diverse currents. For the waiting man, each step carries two directions, and each creation explores new terrains.
Liu Xia is born in 1981, graduated from the Oil Painting Department of Shandong Academy of Arts in 2005, and graduated from the Department of Plastic Arts at the Second University of Toulouse in France in 2010. I currently work and live in Beijing.
SOLO EXHIBITION
2018 “HOLY PAINTING” Liu Xia Solo Show, Tong Gallery+Projects, Beijing
2015 “HOLY PAINTING” Liu Xia Solo Show, Tong Gallery+Projects, Beijing
2014 “Two Confused Policemen” Liu Xia Solo Show, Phoenix Art Palace, Beijing
GROUP EXHIBITION
2018 “Intuitive Consciousness: The Fundamental Force of Painting”, Beijing Times Art Museum, Beijing
2017 “The Dilemmas of Painting”, Asia Art Center Beijing
2016 “Puzzles”, OCAT XI’AN, Xi’an
“ Elite Young Artists Program 2016”, Zheng Guan Museum, Beijing
2015 “Short cut”，J- Gallery, Shanghai
“Base”,UCCASTORE, Beijing
“Breaking The Image-Methods in the Treatment of Imagery by Contemporary Artists from China ”, Si Shang Art Museum, Beijing
“New Wave :the road of memories ”, N Gallery, Seoul, Korea
2014 “IVY ART” Recommend Exhibition of Young Artists’ Work, Inside-out Art Museum, Beijing
“On the Road ”Nomination Exhibition of Chinese Young Artists’ Work, Guan Shanyue Art Museum, Shenzhen”
