Chinese import: Pace Gallery stages Qiu Xiaofei's first solo North American show

Opening at New York's Pace Gallery this week, 'Double Pendulum' is the first solo exhibition in North America for the Chinese contemporary artist Qiu Xiaofei. This show, in particular, is a true departure from Qiu's usual work, that has historically been more of a reflection on his past: a time warp, if you will. The show consists of a group of new works dealing with the ‘expression of psychological and cultural forces through art’ – and specifically, painting.
Using acrylic paint, Qiu appropriates palette knives, spray guns, brushes and other implements in an improvisational manner; giving in to and resisting the resulting sprays, drips and even the creation of forms. The art, which leans towards abstraction, explores the potential of form plus colour, and thus expresses what the artist calls ‘a social subconscious’.
‘There has been a kind of distant coolness in Chinese art, even when it refers to the West in style,’ says Arne Glimcher, chairman of Pace Gallery in New York. ‘Qiu Xiaofei’s painting is unique in China and spearheads a new generation of Chinese abstraction. Although his personal references are encapsulated in expressionistic color and enigmatic symbols, they are uniquely Chinese.’
The artist, born in Fujian, China, studied at the Central Academy of Fine Arts in Beijing from 1998 to 2002 and is a member of the N12 group of Central Academy of Fine Arts graduates, who began staging shows together in 2003. He has had solo exhibitions at institutions including the Art Museum of the Central Academy of Fine Arts, Beijing and Doosan Art Center in Seoul.
Born in Fujian, China, the artist studied at the Central Academy of Fine Arts in Beijing from 1998 to 2002 and is a member of the N12 group of Central Academy of Fine Arts graduates. Pictured: Loop Snake No. 2, 2015
In this show, using acrylic paint, Qiu utilised palette knives, spray guns, brushes and other implements in an improvisational manner. Pictured: Temple Roof, 2015
The work, leaning towards abstraction, expresses what the artist calls 'a social subconscious'. Pictured: Ant Cave No. 2, 2015
'Qiu Xiaofei’s painting is unique in China and spearheads a new generation of Chinese abstraction,' says Arne Glimcher, chairman of Pace Gallery NYC. Pictured: Female Theft, 2013–2015
He continues, 'Although his personal references are encapsulated in expressionistic color and enigmatic symbols, they are uniquely Chinese.' Pictured: Vortex, 2015
A catalogue will accompany the exhibition, featuring an essay by Danielle Shang. Pictured: Pipe No. 2, 2015
INFORMATION
’Double Pendulum’ opens on 11 March and runs until 23 April. For more details, visit Pace Gallery’s website
Photography courtesy of the artist and Pace Gallery
ADDRESS
Pace Gallery
510 West 25th Street
New York, NY 10001
Wallpaper* Newsletter
Receive our daily digest of inspiration, escapism and design stories from around the world direct to your inbox.
Daniel Scheffler is a storyteller for The New York Times and others. He has a travel podcast with iHeart Media called Everywhere and a Substack newsletter, Withoutmaps, where he shares all his wild ways. He lives in New York with his husband and their pup.
-
Revolutionary Apple icon designer Susan Kare unveils a playful jewellery and objet collaboration with Asprey Studio
Asprey Studio's new collection, Esc Keys, brings digital artworks by Susan Kare to life
By Hannah Silver Published
-
What is the role of fragrance in contemporary culture, asks a new exhibition at 10 Corso Como
Milan concept store 10 Corso Como has partnered with London creative agency System Preferences to launch Olfactory Projections 01
By Hannah Tindle Published
-
Jack White's Third Man Records opens a Paris pop-up
Jack White's immaculately-branded record store will set up shop in the 9th arrondissement this weekend
By Charlotte Gunn Published
-
Tasneem Sarkez's heady mix of kitsch, Arabic and Americana hits London
Artist Tasneem Sarkez draws on an eclectic range of references for her debut solo show, 'White-Knuckle' at Rose Easton
By Zoe Whitfield Published
-
Alice Neel’s portraits celebrating the queer world are exhibited in London
‘At Home: Alice Neel in the Queer World’, curated by Hilton Als, opens at Victoria Miro, London
By Hannah Silver Published
-
‘You have to face death to feel alive’: Dark fairytales come to life in London exhibition
Daniel Malarkey, the curator of ‘Last Night I Dreamt of Manderley’ at London’s Alison Jacques gallery, celebrates the fantastical
By Phin Jennings Published
-
Inside the distorted world of artist George Rouy
Frequently drawing comparisons with Francis Bacon, painter George Rouy is gaining peer points for his use of classic techniques to distort the human form
By Hannah Silver Published
-
Love, melancholy and domesticity: Anna Calleja is a painter to watch
Anna Calleja explores everyday themes in her exhibition, ‘One Fine Day in the Middle of the Night’, at Sim Smith, London
By Emily Steer Published
-
Henni Alftan’s paintings frame everyday moments in cinematic renditions
Concurrent exhibitions in New York and Shanghai celebrate the mesmerising mystery in Henni Alftan’s paintings
By Osman Can Yerebakan Published
-
Inside Jack Whitten’s contribution to American contemporary art
As Jack Whitten exhibition ‘Speedchaser’ opens at Hauser & Wirth, London, and before a major retrospective at MoMA opens next year, we explore the American artist's impact
By Finn Blythe Published
-
‘This blood that is flowing is my blood, and that should be a positive thing’: Tracey Emin at White Cube
Tracey Emin’s exhibition ‘I followed you to the end’ has opened at White Cube Bermondsey in London, and traces the artist’s journey through loss
By Hannah Silver Published