Born 1975 in Tianjin, China. Lives and works in Berlin, Germany
Xia Peng is a Chinese artist whose work bridges traditional and contemporary art forms. Trained in Chinese painting at the Central Academy of Fine Arts in Beijing, he later pursued Visual Art and Visual Communication at the Kunsthochschule Kassel in Germany. For over 12 years, he has lived and worked in Berlin, a city that deeply influences his exploration of cross-cultural dialogue and visual narratives.
Xia Peng’s artistic evolution spans traditional ink painting, easel painting, charcoal drawing, and printmaking. His works incorporate elements from diverse cultural and historical traditions, blending them into surreal compositions that transcend the conventional boundaries of time and geography. With curiosity and precision, Xia captures subtle yet essential aspects of daily life as a lens to examine identity, heritage, and the convergence of cultures.
His art frequently juxtaposes motifs from Western art history, such as Renaissance religious imagery, with Chinese Buddhist iconography and mythological figures. Employing a method he calls “ambiguity of information,” Xia layers perspectives, constructs abstract compositions, and integrates intentional obfuscations. This technique creates an interplay between clarity and mystery, encouraging viewers to question historical essentialism and its impact on contemporary identity.
Xia Peng’s work reflects deep philosophical inquiry, drawing from both Chinese and Western traditions. His use of *shanshui* (山水) techniques, rooted in Chinese landscape painting, evokes a sense of meditative tranquility while addressing universal questions of existence. The recurring use of voids or open spaces in his work aligns with the concept of *wu* (无) in Chinese philosophy, emphasizing unseen forces that shape the world.
Xia’s art transforms historical iconography—ancient Egyptian art, European Renaissance painting, and Chinese Buddhist traditions—into fluid, reimagined forms that reveal the interconnectedness of world cultures. His “cultural unconscious” approach invites viewers to discover both familiar memories and underlying disquiet. His airy color palette and dreamlike compositions contrast with the complex themes of identity and cultural belonging, blending escapism with self-reflection.
Xia Peng’s contributions to contemporary art have been recognized with several awards:
- 2013: Druckgrafik-Preis der Leipziger Buchmesse (Leipzig Book Fair Printmaking Prize)
- 2013: Nominee, Heise Kunstpreis
- 2013: Nominee, Preis der Darmstädter Sezession für junge Künstler/innen
Xia Peng’s work has been widely exhibited across China and Europe, earning acclaim for harmonizing cultural contrasts and challenging the boundaries of contemporary art.
Through his art, Xia Peng creates contemplative spaces that connect tradition with modernity, East with West, and past with present. His work invites audiences to reflect on the shared essence of humanity and the fluidity of cultural identity, solidifying his position as a compelling voice in global contemporary art.
Nirgends 01, 2018, Acrylic on Canvas, 100x120cm
for more information about his work.
