Qiu Xiaofei has had three big solo exhibitions since 2013, "Repetition" at Min Sheng Art Museum, "Rauschenberg Said, 'the Walking Stick is Longer than the Maulstick,' After All" at Beijing Commune, and most recently "Apollo Bangs Dionysus" at Pace Beijing. It's not just the output, but the changes in style that has aroused great attention and discussion in the art world. Since 2009, Qiu’s art has gone from infatuation with memory to explorations of conscious and subconscious subjects. At the same time, he’s interested in and experimenting on the mutually driving relationship of consciousness and art forms.

Qiu’s constantly rethinking the essence of painting through his explorations. Although his art is visually self-sufficient, it’s not from the artist’s original motivation. “If painting has some power, it’s from its originality. Painting should not be used to express or to do something else but to understand the world,” he said. “I never continuously follow a certain style in my art. I consider all my previous works as the reference for my current work.” It’s true. We see totally different paintings in the recent solo show at Pace, with all abstract elements instead of figurative characteristics in his old works. Is it closer to the essence of painting in the artist’s mind?

In this talk, Qiu Xiaofei will discuss his thoughts on the paths and possibilities of painting. UCCA has also invited several important curators and writers to give their opinions on Qiu’s art as well as views on the future of painting.

Ticketing & Participation: Free, ticket required.

*Doors close 30 minutes after event begins.

*Tickets are limited. No late entry.

*Collect your ticket from the ticket desk 30 minutes before the event begins.