Born in Nantong, Jiangsu Province in 1962, Xi Jianjun is a British Chinese artist who obtained his master’s degrees from the Central Academy of Arts and Crafts (now Academy of Arts and Design, Tsinghua University) and the Goldsmiths College, University of London (respectively in 1986 and 1995). He currently lives and works in London and Beijing.
Through certain transformations of concepts, his installations explore the inherent relationship between classical verses and contemporary dialogues to generate a metaphorical art form. It is not only an inquiry into reality but also a criticism of international hegemony. Through innovative visual narratives, the artist reveals that the world is caught in a constant struggle between opposing forces such as eternity and transience, order and chaos, and peace and violence.
His extensive works, including performance art, installations, sculptures, and paintings, are collected by individual collectors or professional art institutions such as Minsheng Art Museum in Beijing, the White Rabbit Gallery in Sydney, the British Museum, etc.