A Conversation with Shuai Xu

Born in 1995 in China, working and residing in Los Angeles, the United States, Shuai Xu is a multidisciplinary artist working in painting, land art, installation, sculpture, and mixed media projects, examining the ethereal and often invisible aspects of the human experience. Drawing significant inspiration from his dreams and the night sky, his artistic journey is rooted in our connection with the cosmos and how this vast relationship is mirrored in the interactions between individuals and nature on Earth. His artistic practice can be seen as a bridge connecting a dream world with reality and making the invisible tangible with a poetic sense of wonder and infinity. As a result, today, we have the pleasure of discussing the work with the artist himself; welcome, Shuai Xu.

Maxime Foucquet: Dear Shuai Xu, most welcome to CAI. How are you?

Shuai Xu: Thank you, Maxime. I’m doing well, and I’m excited to be here to discuss my work with you.

MF: Could you please introduce yourself and describe your artistic practice in a nutshell?

SX: Of course. I am Shuai Xu, a multidisciplinary artist based in Los Angeles. My work spans painting, land art, installation, sculpture, and mixed media projects. I explore the ethereal and often invisible aspects of the human experience. My practice aims to connect the invisible with reality, making the intangible tangible through a poetic lens.

MF: The inspirational origins of your work are rooted in your dreams and fascination for the cosmos—can you describe where this fascination came from and how you aim to implement it in your creative process?

SX: My fascination with the cosmos began in my childhood when I would often gaze at the night sky and feel a profound connection to the universe. Dreams have always played a significant role in my life, offering a rich, subconscious landscape to draw inspiration from.

In my creative process, I merge these two sources of inspiration, using them to explore themes of infinity, connection, and the unseen forces that shape our reality. But I am not an artist who specifically depicts dreams. Usually, I only have the idea of turning it into my creative inspiration when I dream of some unknown objects that I have not seen in the real world. This situation itself has a strong uncertainty and unknown, and it is difficult to describe or explain in words, which makes me excited to create.

Shuai Xu, HE0450-2958, 2024. Oil on canvas — 30 x 30 in. Courtesy the artist.

Shuai Xu, HE0450-2958, 2023. Oil on canvas — 30 x 30 in. Courtesy the artist.

Shuai Xu, NGC 1023, 2023. Oil on canvas — 30 x 30 in. Courtesy the artist.

Shuai Xu, HE0450-2958, 2023. Oil on canvas — 30 x 30 in. Courtesy the artist.

Shuai Xu, HE0450-2958, 2023. Oil on canvas — 20 x 20 in. Courtesy the artist.

Shuai Xu, OJ 287, 2022. Oil on canvas — 84 x 60 in. Courtesy the artist.

Shuai Xu, OJ 287, 2022. Oil on canvas — 40 x 36 in. Courtesy the artist.

Shuai Xu, OJ 287, 2022. Oil on canvas — 48 x 36 in. Courtesy the artist.

 

 

MF: You are a multidisciplinary artist working in various artistic disciplines. Let us start with painting first. Your works are marked by vivid color, geometric shapes, and patterns, playing with spatial distortions and cosmic references exemplified by the sphere as a dominant and recurring motif. Could you please expand on your painterly practice and its position within your oeuvre?

SX: My paintings are indeed a critical part of my practice. I use vivid colors and geometric shapes to create dynamic compositions that evoke a sense of movement and transformation. These paintings explore the intersection of the physical and metaphysical, inviting viewers to reflect on their place in the universe.

MF: Could you elaborate on one of your representative works, detailing the entire process from inspiration to completion? What special significance does this piece hold for you?

SX: I hold each of my works in high regard, as they all require substantial time and effort for contemplation and refinement. The series of works that holds the most significance for me is 4C+37.11. This series represents a crucial part of my journey toward self-discovery. It was during this process that I first attempted to narrate a single theme using various media, such as canvas, land art, and installations. This approach freed me from the constraints of any single medium or technique, bringing me closer to the original purpose of my creation.

MF: Considering the presence of curtains and clouds and the dreamlike atmosphere in many of your paintings, references to surreal masters such as Salvador Dali or René Magritte emerge spontaneously in the beholder’s mind. Is there a direct or conscious link with these artists, or has it—as a dream—been an unconscious connection within your medium and its history? 

SX: While I greatly admire the works of Salvador Dali and René Magritte, the connections in my work are more unconscious than direct. At the beginning of my work, I don’t think too much about what kind of connection I have with any art movement. I usually want to keep the idea pure, like the ancient paintings in the Chauvet Cave in France. I am happy to hear different interpretations of my work.

Shuai Xu, 4C+37.11, 2021. Fabric — variable dimensions. Courtesy the artist.

Shuai Xu, 4C+37.11, 2021. Soil — variable dimensions. Courtesy the artist.

 

 

MF: The sphere or the circle motif is also essential for your Land Art pieces. Does this motif thrive even better in a natural environment on Earth? 

SX: Absolutely. In my Land Art pieces, the sphere or circle motif takes on a new dimension as it interacts with the natural environment. These shapes create a dialogue between the artwork and the landscape, emphasizing the interconnectedness of all things. In nature, these motifs can evoke a sense of harmony and continuity, grounding the cosmic themes of my work in the tangible reality of the Earth.

MF: What do you hope viewers take away from experiencing your artworks, and especially with these Land Art installations?

SX:  I hope viewers feel a sense of wonder and connection when experiencing my artworks. But in general, few viewers have seen my land artworks in real scenes. Most often, viewers see my land artworks in the form of pictures or videos. These works usually take place immediately or intentionally in sparsely populated scenes. This is because I want to create these land artworks for the invisible world to see. Therefore, I think that the audience of my land art is not only an object in the real world but also the invisible and unknown.

MF: When it comes to your installations indoors, the concept and challenge of converting intangible aspects into tangible art become arguably the most apparent. Can you elaborate on this aspect and discuss some of your installations? 

SX: Indoor installations allow me to explore intangible concepts in a controlled environment, using light, sound, and spatial arrangements to evoke specific experiences. For instance, in one installation, I used soil and Lego to create an illusion of infinite space, inviting viewers to lose themselves in the environment and consider the endless possibilities of the universe. These installations are about creating a sensory experience that transcends the physical space and touches on the metaphysical.

Shuai Xu, 3C 66B, 2021. Nails, telescope, acrylic — variable dimensions. Courtesy the artist.

Shuai Xu, 3C 66B, 2021. Soil, Lego — variable dimensions. Courtesy the artist.

Shuai Xu, What is Stardust, 2018. Sludge, steel, acrylic, fabric — variable dimensions. Courtesy the artist.

 

 

MF: Even more, have you seen certain tendencies in your artistic development over the years? How have your dreams and vision changed throughout this journey? 

SX: Over the years, my work has become more focused and refined. My dreams and visions have evolved, becoming more complex and nuanced. Initially, my work was more abstract, but as I’ve grown as an artist, I’ve been able to articulate my ideas more clearly and incorporate more detailed and intricate elements into my pieces. This journey has been about deepening my understanding of my themes and finding new ways to express them.

MF: To conclude, could you please expand on your sculptural and mixed media practices? Both seem to be very experimental and diverse.

SX: My sculptural and mixed media practices are indeed very experimental. I enjoy pushing the boundaries of traditional materials and techniques to create unique, multifaceted pieces. My mixed media projects can involve anything from digital projections to found objects, allowing me to explore different aspects of my themes and present them in innovative ways.

Shuai Xu, 4C+37.11, 2023. Fiberglass — 200 x 200 x 120 cm. Courtesy the artist.

Shuai Xu, 4C+37.11, 2020. Digital art — dimensions unknown. Courtesy the artist.

Shuai Xu, Dust Free, 2020. Bamboo, cement, ink — variable dimensions. Courtesy the artist.

 

 

MF: Are there any new themes and techniques you are eager to explore in upcoming projects? How do you envision your future works developing from your current themes?

SX: I am very excited to explore themes related to time and memory in my upcoming projects. I am also interested in incorporating more advanced technologies. But this is just a preliminary idea. I think the greatest charm of art is its unknown and uncertainty. If I really make an artwork completely according to the plan, it will lack some exciting and surprising parts for me.

MF: Thank you so much, Shuai Xu, and wishing you the best in your future endeavors!

SX: Thank you, Maxime. It’s been a pleasure discussing my work with you.

Last Updated on July 10, 2024