Xi Wu

Artist Statement

I had a dream. It was in the desert; the gradation of the sky amazed me. Upon waking, I began painting figures in black and white. As with many works I produced recently, I started with no plan and kept working until everything suddenly madke sense. The editing usually happens later.  Once I understand what I want to communicate, what's left are just technical problems. 

I was strongly influenced by occultism when I was young. After I taught myself to read Tarot cards, I recognized how much meaning one tiny image could carry. To me it always seems poetic. Once I started painting, I decided to keep exploring. Everybody loves jewels, wings, and Blake’s watercolors. I happen to do the same. 

There are three master copies in this collection of my works, two still lifes, and a lot of experiments. I was originally working on a group of paintings I called the Ultimate Triumph, but sadly because my technical skills were not yet polished enough to accomplish my goal, my design fell apart as I moved forward. I used to think artistic creation could be separated from the creator because it is a controlled process. But as I learn more and more each day, I find it hard to get rid of myself in my own works. This exhibition is a collection of my struggles and my confusion.