Liu Xiaodong in "Beijing" - Season 10 - "Art in the Twenty-First Century" | Art21

Art21 proudly presents an artist segment, featuring Liu Xiaodong, from the "Beijing" episode in the tenth season of the "Art in the Twenty-First Century" series.
""Beijing"" premiered in September 2020 on PBS.
A leading figurative painter, Liu Xiaodong creates large-scale works that dramatize the lives of everyday people: migrants, laborers, and others on the economic and geographic margins. Best known for his live, en plein air process, Liu travels to Eagle Pass, Texas, a city on the United States-Mexico border, to paint a county sheriff, his friends, and colleagues. As he works outdoors, Liu contends with the natural elements to complete his ambitious mural-size work, composed of loose brushstrokes and rich colors. The artist considers this process a meditative one that allows him to soften the harsh edges of the world. Reflective of the rise of China to prominence on the world stage, Liu discusses his humble origins as a boy raised in rural China, which inspired him to depict real and relatable people, and his international success, working across cultures and continents. Ultimately, Liu hopes, “Audiences will look at my art and think of themselves.” His paintings are at once tenderly realized portraits of specific people and places and also universalizing scenes from our globalized lives.
Liu Xiaodong was born in 1963 in Jincheng, in the province of Liaoning, China. Learn more about the artists at: art21.org/arti...
TRANSLATIONS
Translated subtitles are generously contributed by our volunteer translation community. Visit our translation team at Amara for the full list of contributors: amara.org/vide...
CREDITS | Executive Producer: Tina Kukielski. Series Producer: Nick Ravich. Directors: Bryan Chang and Vicky Du. Producer: Vicky Du. Editor: Bryan Chang. Director of Photography: Bryan Chang.
Production Services: Meerkat Media. Assistant Curator: Danielle Brock. Field Producers: Yifan Wen and Qianying Zhao. Design & Animation: Momentist, Inc. Composer: Joel Pickard. Advising Producer: Ian Forster: Additional Art21 Staff: Lauren Barnett, Lolita Fierro, Joe Fusaro, Meghan Garven, Jonathan Munar, and Emma Nordin. Narration: Okema T. Moore.
Additional Photography: Robert Cauble, Vicky Du, Andrew Kemp, Christoph Lerch, Riani Singgih, Yifan Wen, and Yang Bo. Assistant Camera: Ogey Samhadi, Charlie Stoddart, and Yifan Wen. Location Sound: Rayell Abad, Long Lv, Sean Millar, Shi Qian, and Zhou Yang.
Digital Intermediate: Cut + Measure. Post-Production Producer: Alex Laviola. Colorist: Jerome Thélia. Post-Production Sound Services: Konsonant Post. Re-Recording Mixer & Sound Editor: Gisela Fullà-Silvestre. Online & Conform: David Gauff. Additional Animation: Andy Cahill. Assistant Editors: Jasmine Canon, Jonah Greenstein, Tianyao Ma, and Mengchen Zhang. Translation: Xiaoyu Song, Yixin Tong, and Mengchen Zhang. Descriptive Video Information: Captionmax.
Artwork Courtesy: Guan Xiao, Liu Xiaodong, Song Dong, Xu Bing, Yin Xiuzhen, Chambers Fine Art, Kraupa-Tuskany Zeidler, Lisson Gallery, and Pace Gallery. Archival Materials: Dabarti CGI, HEC Media, Pond 5, The Metropolitan Museum of Art, Gord Webster, Yang Bo, Hung-i Yao, and Yitiao. Additional Music: APM Music.
Public Relations: Cultural Counsel. Station Relations: De Shields Associates, Inc. Legal Counsel: Barbara T. Hoffman, Esq. Interns: Kristie Chua, Shane Daly, Malique Daniels, Grace Doyle , Eda Li, Daniela Mayer, Jason Mendoza, Nikhil Oza, Anika Rahman, Ana Sanz, Sara Schwartz, Victoria Xu, and Sadie Yanckello.
Special Thanks: The Art21 Board of Trustees, Asia Art Archive in America, Marco Betelli, Emma Bright, CAFA Art Museum, Xinglu Chen, Mengna Da, Atika Dewi, Peter Doroshenko, Alejandro Flores, Robie Flores, Melissa Saenz Gordon, Nina Hidayat, Esther Knuth, Alessandra Lacorazza, Jia Li, Li Liang, Los Angeles County Museum of Art, Christophe Mao, Museum MACAN, Qu Shanpu, Tom Schmerber, Chloe Shi, Nicolas Smirnoff, Song Errui, Jeffrey Sterrenberg, Tianyi Sun, Today Art Museum, Paula Tsai, UCCA Center for Contemporary Art, Venice Biennale, Andrea Vesentini, Wang Zhongyao, Xiaoyu Weng, Wu Hung, Wu Yue, Xia Wenbin, Jane Xiao, and Yi Zhou.
Major underwriting for Season 10 of Art in the Twenty-First Century is provided by PBS, National Endowment for the Arts, Lambent Foundation, The Anna-Maria and Stephen Kellen Foundation, The Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts, Toby Devan Lewis, The Horace W. Goldsmith Foundation, Henri Lambert, Nion McEvoy & Leslie Berriman, and Sakana Foundation.
Series Creators: Susan Dowling and Susan Sollins.
©2020 Art21, Inc.
#LiuXiaodong #Beijing #Art21"

[@valiullah]

A man who truly has found his calling. When you look at his paintings, you can immediately feel something powerful yet calming.

[@Sage_Cooper]

He cares, it shows, lovely and inspiring!

[@bobb1870]

Ordinary people are fascinating and teach us about the beauty of life. I like the paintings and the process of making the art. Thanks

[@GUADALUPEFABIAN-df6dh]

Absolutely beautiful!

[@robinaanstey3734]

I LOVE him!!! Ive watched movies, documentaries and shorts on this artist for years...he never ceases to amaze me and brighten the art world with his talent. I too want to be the Buddha sitting on the stool. TY for featuring him. xx

[@ostarrywave459]

🥰

[@59jaguar]

What sort of paints are you using?

[@borock69]

The best Manchurian artist! I’m so proud of you brother!

[@rusunrise8080]

A nice message painted!!! 💛💙💚🫂🧢🎨

[@peter9style]

This just popped up in my feed. Thank you wonderful algorithm for introducing this inspiring human being to me

[@iamthatiamstevenm]

One of the most profound videos you will ever see. Not just about art, about life...and how to appreciate all facets of it. Amazing person there I look forward to learning more. And the sheriff...a real man there who cares. It was right to paint his image and his family, something reserved for queen and kings. The queens and kings of this world are fake. This King is real...

[@sassegranny4700]

You are a brilliant painter for people. what a wonderful talent. God bless you, always.

[@02LyveTime]

wow... incredible. exactly what I needed to see today. speechless the whole time watching this video..

[@ericrogal995]

This IS how to make true art!! He understands all that is seen and how it is seen. And he makes me feel his “stroke” and lets my whole being experience the composition and the moment. He is a master. He takes necessary risks!

[@SaraBonaventura]

Amazing painter and human being! …but artists always look for a different path 🙏🏻

[@LaMatadora]

Thanks for featuring this amazing painter. Im Mexican American and I live miles away from the border as well. He captures the essence of life and transfers it to the canvas. Well done! I paint as well but this guy is just amazing!

[@brm1279]

I love the way the officers stood so patiently and respectfully. These ppl probably would never go into a art gallery or museum.

[@rubenscasco801]

I love classic paintings, I watch many videos of different painters whatever i come across in the You tube, His paintings are very touching...it expresses people's daily life in every society.

[@fernanddurler4709]

Thank you for sharing your kind and generous soul!you are an inspiration and good role model to all mankind

[@darylgholson4481]

My new favorite artist

[@lolaost9559]

Thank you Liu. Your words, and your work, are so inspiring.

[@albertosantosramirez]

I cried with joy

[@peter9style]

I congratulate you 😊! Same here

[@basavanna226]

0

[@ontheoriginof]

Wow, just wow. Amazing work.

[@sergiomenasche4193]

❤ buen ser humano Me encanta la enseñanza de de gente como este artista tan empático. GRACIAS DESDE ARGENTINA

[@devikasarkar8230]

He is such a pure soul!

[@joez7759]

What a simple but powerful message of hope Though a creative dignified man… amazing talent. We are all brothers & sisters by ONE🙏creator.

[@aykatsing]

the subjects, skill, scale and speed like holy hell just amazing! yet another artist to look up to, thanks for the inspiration!

[@suburbanhomestead]

Best art I’ve seen in a long time. A true master.

[@mariannewolf57]

Just stunning! What a truly amazing artist! Thank you for posting.

[@Comeriokid]

Such an amazing artist. He really captures people’s lives beautifully.

[@nickrodis6862]

Thank you.

[@alinafewilson]

inspirational knowing where I'm from and seeing other artists doing great work like this

[@ABC123cba2]

小东老师值得人欣赏与尊重

[@aniruddhaacharya2423]

Nicely edited! Thank you so much Art21 for all these priceless documentaries...

[@gato9866]

fantastic show

[@kikoescora1522]

Beautiful. ✨

[@elvisduarte1523]

Wonderful work amazing

[@igorDobrowolski1]

This is amazing!!!!!!!

[@selwynr]

There is no doubt in my mind you could argue that he's the best living painter. He's no Manet (he's untouchable) but he's our Manet.

[@TheKelleyBunch]

So beautiful and inspiring.

[@albertoballocca]

Beautiful 🙏

[@buddy4822]

What an awesome documentary! Thank you!

[@figgettit]

an ACTUALLY GOOD painter.

[@adriennefisher3850]

I love this!

[@EstherNjoku23]

beautiful

[@pitsburg11]

Mad respect good work!

[@leontaylor3721]

Amazing human

[@stutimohanta8648]

wholesome

[@ontisitsemanyeneng3154]

First time coming across this man. What a great artist. I love his beliefs as well. They really bring out the great character he has.

[@adammchugh5456]

Wow, really impressed with Liu's style :)

[@xinrushere1612]

Thank you for this amazing video. I have always love art, I don’t know how to express the deep feeling towards it. At the moment he said people to people, I’m touched and overwhelmed. I feel relieved and it reminds me of world is wild, don’t be too harsh for yourself as the moment I’m always struggling on getting a job since graduating, art will always by my side.

[@pagorami5253]

this was great

[@nathanbabble1976]

This is an amazing man

[@arthurdinizcunha]

"for me, people are people"

[@刘备-t4p]

很喜欢这种画画的感觉，

[@elianefatima4759]

Que lindo...

[@samanthanoeliaferrer]

god tier portrait painitng ; v ; super inspiring

[@williamschlenger1518]

I am an artist,I paint mostly animals dog's, horses etc.Im very impressed with your work.The Chinese seem much more relaxed than Americans.

[@JenHope118]

👏👏👏👏👏👍 . The Rembrandt of China.

[@59jaguar]

I aspire to paint as well one day. Love the scale of your work. Good job

[@yong1960]

这么好的视频、可惜关注的人太少，世界上最好的写生画家。

[@jsmarteastcicero8698]

“I aspire to be the Buddha on the stool.” 🥹

[@sangnipie]

又被感动了…

[@DashoHembram]

❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@loremipsum720]

Brilliant

[@omnirhythm]

The sheriff has the looks and demeanor of the late James Gandolfini :)

[@petersoakell6950]

balanced work

[@williamschlenger1518]

Fascinating work.How did these people find you?

[@nonaEmiliana9]

❤❤❤

[@emanjewels7588]

Very Great paintings. Are you from Beijing original

[@pawan120989]

You're my bro

[@ShinobitheCat]

👏👏👏

[@keophanyom6903]

❤

[@talgatalibaev181]

👏👍👑🎨🖌️👍💪💪🙏🙏🙏

[@supermassivebk]

年轻学画时，体会不到小东的画好在哪，现在能明白一点了

[@colorist_tommy4247]

did he managed the sheriff group portrait in one sitting ?

[@aykatsing]

i'm wondering about that too, that'd be incredible

[@samiran5751]

How mutch price of this pantimg?????

[@davidmcnown]

How can i find a liu ye expert to authenticate my origial painting?

[@ranjeetkumar8634]

😊

[@QuayCur]

My guy just ended photography :)

[@trustdeftadam]

Does someone have the songs name?

[@knish72]

Quit smoking man!

[@cxxlkxsh_0]

Reality is a lot are anxious.

[@mmmmmmmk]

dude uses as much paint in a day as i use in two years

[@projectcerebus]

Is it expensive kind of paints he uses?

[@dorithezencat]

It is strikingly poignant. He reminds me of G. Courbet ..

[@blueginger8861]

🐮

[@KeshiaTimbang-jc8ry]

😂

[@az6498]

Pure ideology

[@yupinunca]

Magnífico

[@ImaniTolliver]

❤