Who inspired Ah Xian?
Who inspired Ah Xian?
Ah Xian had travelled to Jingdezhen, China and this is where the inspiration for this exhibition originated. The artist was also influenced by his own journey – one that combined his own culture and the ideas of the Western world.
Why does Ah Xian make his sculptures?
By 1994, wanting to continue working with body casts but finding plaster cheap and unappealing, Ah Xian thought of turning to porcelain. He began to read books and collect information and by 1990-97 was experimenting, making crude porcelain sculptures from plaster casts of his left hand.
What is Ah Xian known for?
Chinese-Australian artist Ah Xian is one of Australia’s leading contemporary artists, and our recent conversation at his home in Sydney’s northern suburbs began with a dramatic announcement by him that he is no longer making the porcelain busts and cloisonné figures that propelled him to overnight success when he won …
Where did Ah Xian go to school?
Soon after, he began to go to Sydney College of the Arts, where he worked on a series of porcelain busts by himself. In 1998 he was awarded a New Work Grant from the Australia Council, which allowed him to work with master ceramists and painters.
When did Ah Xian move to Australia?
1989
Ah Xian was born in Beijing, China, in 1960 and first came to Australia in early 1989 as a visiting scholar at the University of Tasmania’s School of Art. He returned to China just weeks before the student demonstrations that led to violent confrontations at Tiananmen Square in June 1989.
What techniques did Ah Xian use?
Ah Xian uses many different techniques and materials, based on ancient Chinese crafts skills, including porcelain, cloisonne, lacquer, jade, ox-bone inlay and bronze as well as concrete. His most recent work is a new body of bronze casts.
When did Ah Xian begin making art?
In 2000 Xian began experimenting with cloisonné metalwork and full body porcelain casting.
Where did Ah Xian get his name from?
Ah Xian, painter and sculptor, was born Liu Ji Xian in Beijing, China, in 1960. He adopted the name Ah in 1983. Despite both parents holding positions at universities, Xian trained as a mechanical fitter at a technical school and worked in a factory.
When did Ah Xian live and work in Australia?
This was followed by his inclusion in the Sydney Museum of Contemporary Art’s 1993 exhibition ‘Mao Goes Pop: China Post 1989’ which exhibited his Pervasive spirit series of plaster casts in wooden cases. In 1995 Xian was granted permanent residency in Australia, continuing to live in Sydney.
How did Ah Xian change his art practice?
He then sought political asylum in Australia. Once settled in Australia, Ah Xian changed his practice from painting to sculpture. In 1996, as a part of an investigation of his heritage and determined to bring traditional craftsmanship into a contemporary art context, Ah Xian began his study of porcelain at the ancient kilns of Jingdezhen.
Where did Ah Xian make his porcelain busts?
Ah Xian’s China China series of porcelain busts was begun in 1998. His works in this exhibition were produced in Jingdezhen, Jiangxi province, in collaboration with artisans from various studio-kilns around the city.
