Xu Bing, born in 1955 in Chongqing, China, is a contemporary artist whose work has profoundly impacted the global art scene, particularly through his innovative use of language, words, and text. Growing up in Beijing, Xu was deeply influenced by the Cultural Revolution, a period that significantly shaped his artistic vision and methodology. His father, the head of the history department at Peking University, and the socio-political upheaval of the time, provided a complex backdrop for his early life and education. In 1977, Xu Bing embarked on his formal art education at the Central Academy of Fine Arts (CAFA) in Beijing, where he specialized in printmaking. After completing his Bachelor's degree in 1981, he continued at CAFA as an instructor, earning his Master of Fine Arts in 1987. His time at CAFA was marked by a deep engagement with traditional Chinese art forms, including calligraphy and printmaking, which he would later subvert and reinterpret in his groundbreaking works. Xu Bing's early career in China was a period of intense creativity and experimentation. In 1987, he began work on one of his most famous pieces, "Book from the Sky," an installation featuring thousands of hand-carved characters in a style reminiscent of traditional Chinese printmaking. However, these characters were entirely invented by Xu, rendering the text unreadable and challenging the viewer's expectations about language and meaning. This work, which took four years to complete, was both celebrated and controversial, reflecting Xu's interest in the power of written language and its role in culture and society. The aftermath of the Tiananmen Square protests in 1989 marked a turning point in Xu Bing's career. Facing increased scrutiny and censorship, he moved to the United States in 1990, where he was invited by the University of Wisconsin–Madison. This move opened up new avenues for exploration and collaboration, and Xu quickly established himself as a significant figure in the international art world. His work continued to evolve, incorporating elements of Western art and philosophy, while still deeply rooted in his Chinese heritage. Throughout his career, Xu Bing has been recognized for his innovative approach to art, particularly his exploration of language and text. His work challenges viewers to reconsider the nature of communication and the relationship between form and meaning. He has received numerous awards and honors, including the prestigious MacArthur Fellowship in 1999, the Fukuoka Asian Culture Prize in 2003, and the first Artes Mundi Prize in Wales in 2004. In 2015, he was awarded the U.S. Department of State Medal of Arts for his efforts to promote cultural understanding through his artworks. Xu Bing's contributions to contemporary art extend beyond his individual works. He has served as Vice President of CAFA, where he has influenced a new generation of artists. His work has been exhibited in major museums and galleries worldwide, including the Museum of Modern Art and the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, the British Museum, and the Victoria and Albert Museum in London, among others. Xu Bing's art is a bridge between the past and the present, the East and the West, challenging and expanding the boundaries of contemporary art. Through his innovative use of materials, his exploration of language, and his engagement with pressing social and environmental issues, Xu Bing continues to provoke thought and inspire dialogue around the world. His work not only reflects the complexities of the globalized world but also offers a vision of art as a means of understanding and connection.

Xu Bing Quotes and Sales of Works

Ponti Art Gallery selects and deals with paintings by the artist. Upon request, we provide free estimates and evaluations, communicate prices, quotations, and current market values.

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