Works
Born in 1965 in Dangshan, Anhui, and graduated in 1988 from the Stage Design Department of the Shanghai Theatre Academy, Xue Song is a contemporary Chinese artist, whose style of collage is characterized by the burning ready-made images and his rearrangement of the burnt fragments on the canvas. This symbolic destruction and rebirth or deconstruction and reconstruction underline the significance of his artistic practice, as well as fashions a brand new visuality.
Exhibitions
Fire and Water
Xue Song
Jan 8 – April 22, 2022
Phoenix – Art from the Ashes
Xue Song
May 18 – July 14, 2019
Long Museum, Shanghai
Pine．Smoke．Ink
Xue Song
Jan 6 – Mar 4, 2018
Eight Views of Taiwan
Lin Pang-soong, Xue Song, Zhou Gang
Sept 19 – Oct 17, 2015
Journal
Mount Ali
Catalog Entry
Eight Views of Taiwan
Xue Song, who has secured his place in Chinese contemporary art with his method of burnt collage and Pop Art-inspired colours, has also captured the attention of international audiences. His works appear both traditional and modern, perfectly blending Chinese and Western visual styles. To international audiences, his images possess a quintessential Eastern aesthetic, and for all modern viewers, they evoke a strong sense of familiar nostalgia.
Xue Song, Ali Mountain, 2013. Photo: T. Chang
Evaluation and Value
Essay
Xue Song’s Role as an Artist in Contemporary Culture
As a Chinese Contemporary artist, the challenge of Western art has undeniably shaped Xue Song’s practice. Consciously working within this premise, he addresses his own identity and confronts the complex history that has shaped him and the fast-changing society in which he is a part of. In this way, Xue Song’s evaluation of himself as an artist ultimately corresponds to the value of his art.
Xue Song in his Studio, Shanghai, 2017. Photo: T. Chang
News
National Cellar 1573 / Xue Song
Commission
Xue Song
In welcoming 2023, National Cellar 1573 and Shanghai-based artist Xue Song celebrate the launch of Brilliant Mountains of Pine baijiu liquor. Limited to editions of 60,000 bottles worldwide, the product design is inspired by Xue Song’s mixed-media collage work, featuring auspicious colours and motifs in a traditional landscape setting.
National Cellar 1537 New Year Product Launch Party. Photo: Courtesy of Li Youyou
Contemporary Art Represents the Spirit of Today
Video
Xue Song
In this video, we take an in-depth look into Xue Song’s career as a Chinese contemporary artist, covering his journey from his hometown of Dangshan, Anhui to the metropolitan city of Shanghai, his interest in Chinese history and contemporary culture, his wide range of subject matter, and the initial fire that sparked his inspiration for the iconic style of burnt collage that he is known for today.
Video Still from Trans-Figuration. Video: Courtesy of Li Youyou
Trans-Figuration – Guangdong Museum of Art
Museum Exhibition
Xue Song
Trans-Figuration by Xue Song is on view at the Guangdong Museum of Art from March 26 to April 20, 2022. The exhibition title is inspired by the term “transfiguration” in Buddhist art, which can be applied to understand Xue Song’s appropriation of ready-made images.
Installation View, Guangdong Museum of Art. Photo: Courtesy of Xue Song
Pop, Fashion, Currents – TEDx Talks
Video
Xue Song
The confrontation of one’s identity in terms of history, society, and culture has been an integral theme in the art of Xue Song, and was explored in the artist’s TED Talk on Oct 21, 2021 organized by TEDxHangzhouED.
Video Still from The Zeitgeist © TEDx Talks
ArtReview
News
Xue Song
In contemporary art magazine ArtReview’s coverage of the upcoming Art Taipei 2021 art fair, Xue Song’s mixed-media collage New Heights was prominently featured as both the article’s cover and content image.
Xue Song, New Heights, 2020 © Xue Song
China DNA – Powerlong Museum
Museum Exhibition
Xue Song
China DNA – Xue Song 2020 is on view at the Powerlong Museum, Shanghai from November 2 through December 4, 2020. The large-scale retrospective continues the success and legacy from Xue Song’s solo exhibition at the Long Museum, Shanghai in 2019.
Installation View, Powerlong Museum, Shanghai. Photo: Courtesy of Li Youyou
Publications
Fire and Water
Catalog
The Art of Xue Song
Lofty Culture & Art, 2022
© Loftyart Gallery
Pine．Smoke．Ink
Catalog
The Art of Xue Song
Lofty Culture & Art, 2017
© Loftyart Gallery
Eight Views of Taiwan
Catalog
Art Creation Project
Lofty Culture & Art, 2015
© Loftyart Gallery