QI YU 戚彧 (B. 1969)

Xiang Tai No. 011-02

Oil and ceramic on canvas

Signed and dated

120cm x 120cm

戚彧 相態 No. 011-02

2011年作

油彩與陶瓷畫布

-

PROVENANCE:

English Private Collection

-

NOTES:

Qi Yu, born in 1969 in China, is a prominent contemporary artist known for his innovative approach to painting and his exploration of the intersection between tradition and modernity. As one of China’s leading contemporary painters, Qi Yu has developed a distinctive style that blends elements of classical Chinese painting techniques with the bold expressionism of Western abstraction. His works address complex themes such as identity, memory, and the rapid transformation of Chinese society in the face of globalization.

Qi Yu began his formal artistic training at the Central Academy of Fine Arts (CAFA) in Beijing, one of China’s most prestigious institutions for the arts, where he honed his technical skills in traditional Chinese brushwork, as well as in oil painting and modern conceptual art. Throughout the 1990s, Qi was immersed in China’s burgeoning contemporary art scene, which was experiencing significant changes after the country’s opening up to the outside world. This period of cultural transformation profoundly shaped his artistic development.

In the early years of his career, Qi Yu’s work was characterized by his exploration of traditional Chinese painting forms, particularly the ink wash technique. His early paintings, often inspired by landscapes and nature, retained a deep connection to Chinese cultural heritage. However, as his practice evolved, Qi Yu began to move away from these traditional subjects, experimenting with abstraction, the human figure, and the symbolic use of color and form.

A central theme in Qi Yu’s work is the concept of transformation. His abstracted representations of the human body, often fragmented or disjointed, are a metaphor for the emotional and psychological changes that occur as individuals and societies navigate periods of profound change. These works are imbued with a sense of tension and complexity, suggesting that transformation is never a simple or linear process. In his paintings, Qi Yu blends the fluidity of traditional Chinese ink with the intensity of Western abstraction, creating a space where the two artistic traditions can converse and collide.

Qi Yu’s signature technique involves the use of thick, expressive brushstrokes and vibrant colors, which he applies to large canvases. His works often feature layers of color that are built up through a dynamic process of layering and scraping, creating a sense of depth and movement. Despite their abstract nature, Qi Yu’s paintings always retain an emotional and organic quality, as if they are capturing the moment of creation itself—raw, spontaneous, and full of energy.

In addition to his abstract paintings, Qi Yu is also known for his exploration of the body and human form. His figurative works, often depicting distorted or fragmented figures, challenge the viewer to reconsider traditional representations of the body in art. Through these works, Qi Yu reflects on issues of personal and collective identity, as well as the tension between the individual and the larger societal forces that shape our lives.

Qi Yu’s work has been exhibited extensively in galleries and museums around the world. His solo exhibitions include Disrupting the Silence (2020) at the Ullens Center for Contemporary Art (UCCA) in Beijing; Fragments of Time (2018) at the Shanghai Gallery of Art; and Merging Realities (2016) at the Long Museum in Shanghai. His group exhibitions include New Horizons: Chinese Contemporary Art (2019) at the Asian Art Museum in San Francisco, The Fluid Landscape (2017) at the Museum of Modern Art in New York, and Contemporary Voices (2015) at the National Gallery of Art in London.

Qi Yu's work has garnered international recognition for its bold experimentation with form and material, as well as its capacity to reflect the ever-evolving nature of contemporary life. His works are held in numerous private and public collections, including those of the Guggenheim Museum, the Hong Kong Museum of Art, and the Shanghai Art Museum.

Throughout his career, Qi Yu has remained committed to pushing the boundaries of traditional and contemporary painting, constantly challenging the conventions of both Eastern and Western art. His work speaks to the global moment, offering a nuanced, personal exploration of transformation, culture, and identity in an increasingly interconnected world. As Qi Yu continues to evolve as an artist, his work remains a powerful and relevant voice in the conversation surrounding contemporary art.