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Genesis
ART SEASONS
Genesis
About Artwork
In “Genesis,” the meme abstract representation of Adam and Eve set in a colourful garden of clouds is probably Leo’s overarching concept work for this series. The work delves into how the progress of science and technology is subverting the inherent concept and lifestyle of humanity, as mankind uses advanced technology to create a virtual world, the “meta-universe” of Eden, just as God created the garden of Eden, and also created Adam and Eve. Here, Leo questioned whether human beings could build a new and perfect world in the virtual world or just a beautiful illusory bubble. Whether the difficulties encountered in the current real world be solved in the virtual meta-universe? Or, will the virtual world created by us lead humankind to a higher stage of civilization? The cartographic metaphor of whether the virtual world will replace the real world is a question that human beings should think about and pursue. The development between human nature, science, and technology should question whether the meta-universe makes us rethink whether a new world is more equal, open, and inclusive than the real world or whether the utopian world can be realized in the meta-universe
Artist Profile
Leo Liu Xuanqi (1977) is a Chinese contemporary artist currently residing in Singapore. A graduate in Art & Design from Shanghai Publishing and Printing College ( The University of Shanghai for Science and Technology ) in 1999. He moved to Singapore in 2006 and left his decade long career as an Art director in design and advertising in 2009 to pursue art full-time. He was awarded Platinum Award at the 31st UOB Singapore Painting of the Year Competition for his artwork “Wandering Cloud”.
Leo's works fuses modern graphics design elements with traditional painting techniques, achieving a sense of contrast in dynamic design versus still realism. His play on dualism and dialectics inspires reflection on the interaction between tradition and the contemporary, within this rapidly evolving world. He is inspired by history and society at large, often seeking to provoke his audience into thinking about contemporary issues facing humanity and the world around them. In 2009 his work is an ongoing reflection of personal identity embedded within popular culture. In his "Cloud" series, Leo plays with the idea of permanence and the temporal, and explores the tension that arises at the crossroads of rapid globalization. In 2012 he also made an important pivot towards fusing charcoal realism with POP Art paintings to manifest greater freedom in artistic imagination and expression. In 2014 he also begun to explore using contemporary styles to express traditional Chinese ink painting, bringing traditional ink into installation art to achieve an artistic breakthrough in uniqueness and style.
Since 2010, he has held six solo exhibitions and participated in many international art fairs, such as Art Stage Singapore, Art Taipei, Hongkong Art Central, etc. His works are collected by private collectors and public institutions.
Artist:
Leo Liu Xuanqi
Medium:
Acrylic on Canvas
Size:
244 x 366 cm
Year:
2022