“I began painting with oil until I made a pilgrimage to Italy in 2004. I spent day after day visiting chapel after chapel, marveling at the great master’s great paintings from Giotto to Piero Della Francesca. I was in awe of these masterpieces. I don’t see anything old or out of fashion in their work. On the contrary, I noticed that their precise composition, fantastic ability of managing colour and their solid construction make these paintings universal and timeless. This trip was a pivotal moment where past experiences came together to solidify my calling for painting.

 

I heard a very seducing voice urging me to follow their guidance toward the realm which I want to attain. After this trip, I started to use egg tempera working on canvas to transform my inspiration. Egg tempera is an ancient technique which brings more transparency to the colour. Thus, it gives the painting an unique temperament. I have become so enamoured with this technique. I love the way egg tempera feels and that it requires to nish a painting stroke by stroke. I believe that a good painting should be done with great patient and passion. Just like an enthusiastic believer praying to the god. I practice with egg tempera yet I never forget the influence of Oriental Art, especially the ancient Chinese art which is ingrained in my blood. The way the ancient Chinese artist manages the “blank” space to create implied meaning and sense of equibrium in composition have deeply infl uenced my painting. Aesthetically, I love to stand far away from reality in order to recreate a reality that takes reality by surprise. I am fascinated by play for I believe that only in play is our true nature revealed.

 

Year after Year, I have been exploring this universal theme, which, like art, cuts across the boundaries of culture and language.”

 

Xiao Guo Hui (b.1969, China)

 

Education

1993 Bachelor of Fine Art, Guangzhou Academy of Fine Art, Guangzhou, CN

 

Select Solo Shows

2023 Le Théâtre du Paradis, Galerie Fabian Lang, Zurich, CH

2020 la Quotidienne… , Art Paris, Christopher Cutts Gallery, Paris, FR

2015 Feast, Christopher Cutts Gallery, Toronto, CA

2012 In Search of Lost Time – A Tribute to Marcel Proust, Christopher Cutts Gallery, Toronto, CA

2010 The Little Pleasure of Life, Christopher Cutts Gallery, Toronto CA

2008 An Hour of Play, Gibsone Jessop Gallery, Toronto, CA

2006 Carravaggio’s Circus, Gibsone Jessop Gallery, Toronto, CA

2004 Play, Gibsone Jessop Gallery, Toronto, CA

2003 Chinese – France Culture Year 2003, MK2 Bibliotheque, Paris, FR

 

Select Group Shows

2024 Amour-Propre, Galerie Fabian Lang, Zurich, CH

2022 Don’t Fuck With Our Human (Ali Banisadr, Kim Dingle, Christina Forrer, Xiao Guo Hui, Tahnee Lonsdale, Annie Morris), Galerie Fabian Lang, Zurich, CH

2021 Director’s Choice, Christopher Cutts Gallery, Toronto, CA

2021 Spring 21, Christopher Cutts Gallery, Toronto, CA

2018 Director’s Choice, Christopher Cutts Gallery, Toronto, CA

2017 Director’s Choice, Christopher Cutts Gallery, Toronto, CA

2016 Asian Now 2016, Leap Pavilion, Paris, CA

2015 Director’s Choice II, Christopher Cutts Gallery, Toronto, CA

2014 Winter Group Show, Christopher Cutts Gallery, Toronto, CA

2013 Winter Group Show, Christopher Cutts Gallery, Toronto, CA

2012 Winter Solstice Painting Extravaganza, Christopher Cutts Gallery, Toronto, CA

2011 Baker’s Dozen, Christopher Cutts Gallery, Toronto, CA

2010 Ferine / The Little Pleasures of Life, Christopher Cutts Gallery, Toronto, CA

2009 Group Show, Gibsone Jessop Gallery, Toronto, CA

2007 Group Show, Gibsone Jessop Gallery, Toronto, CA

2005 Group Show, Gibsone Jessop Gallery, Toronto, CA

 

Art Fairs

2021 Art Paris, Paris, FR

2019 Art Paris, Paris, FR

2018 Art Miami, Miami, USA

2016 Positions Berlin, Berlin, DE

2015 Art Fair Cologne, Cologne, DE

2014 Art Toronto, Toronto, CA

2013 Art Miami, Miami, USA

2012 Art Miami, Miami, USA

2011 Art Chicago, Chicago, USA

2011 Art Toronto, Toronto, CA

2010 Art Chicago, Chicago, USA

2010 Scope Basel, Basel, CH

2009 Scope Miami, Miami, USA

 

Awards and Grants

2021 Project Grant For Visual Artist, Canada Arts Council

2015 Project Grant For Visual Artist, Canada Arts Council

2014 National and International Residency, Ontario Arts Council

2012 Visual Arts Grant, mid-career, Ontario Arts Council

2010 Second prize, Art Interview 20th International Online Artist Competition

2010 Visual Arts Grant, Ontario Arts Council

2004 Ontario Arts Council, Visual Arts Grant

 

Collections

Copelouzos Art Museum, Athens, GR

 

Selected Publications

2024 Fabian Lang / Emily Steer, Xiao Guo Hui. Le Théâtre du Paradis, Zurich, CH

2015 Xiao Guo Hui, Catalogue by Xiao Guo Hui, Design by Chen Wen Qing, Review “Feast: Xiao Guo Hui’s divine strategy” by Ulysses Castellanos (momus.ca)

2008 Xiao Guo Hui, Catalogue by Xiao Guo Hui, Design by Chen Wen Qing, Text by Sara Drozdoski & JeanFrançois Gouin