Liu Xiaodong Interview: We Humans are Strange Animals

“Artists are like small angels, who fly back and forth,” says the pre-eminent Chinese painter Liu Xiaodong, who believes that the open-mindedness of artists can inspire us to broaden our outlook: “Painting is not directly related to changing society but it is close to having an effect.”
In the mind of an artist, Xiaodong argues, there is no such thing as national boundaries, and because they don’t do much practical work, artists rely on their imagination: “He can look and then paint what he sees and show it to you… We need artists to travel between countries to communicate this innocent view of the world.”
“We humans are very strange animals. We always dream about going to far-away places.” Xiaodong also talks about his urge to visit the remote corners of the world, and the addictive nature of painting: “I will be happy during those days I work and paint. Just like smoking allows you to feel happy for ten minutes.”
Liu Xiaodong (b. 1963) is considered one of China’s leading artists. In his often large-scale paintings, Xiaodong depicts the lives, narratives and landscapes of modern humanity, finding his subjects in places all over the world, where he settles down and spends time with those he wants to portray. He lives and works in Beijing but has undertaken projects in e.g. Tibet, Japan, Italy, the UK, Cuba and Greenland. Xiaodong’s work has been the subject of numerous solo exhibitions worldwide including Palazzo Strozzi in Florence, Kunsthalle Düsseldorf, Seattle Art Museum, and Ullens Center for Contemporary Art in Beijing. His work has also been included in group exhibitions including the Gwanju Biennale (2014), the Shanghai Biennale (2000 and 2010), the 15th Biennale of Sydney and the Venice Biennale (2013 and 1997).
Liu Xiaodong was interviewed by Marc-Christoph Wagner at Lisson Gallery in London in January 2019 in connection with the exhibition ‘Liu Xiaodong: Weight of Insomnia’. The interview is made in connection with the exhibition ‘Expedition to Uummannaq, Greenland’ (21.3.2019 - 10.6.2019) at the Louisiana Museum of Modern Art in Humlebæk, Denmark: www.louisiana.dk/en/exhibitio...
Camera: Kyle Stevenson
Produced by: Marc-Christoph Wagner
Edited by: Roxanne Bagheshirin Lærkesen
Cover photo: Cropped version of ‘Green Pub’, 2013, London, United Kingdom by Liu Xiaodong
Copyright: Louisiana Channel, Louisiana Museum of Modern Art, 2019
Supported by Nordea fonden
FOLLOW US HERE!
Website: channel.louisiana.dk
Facebook: / louisianachannel
Instagram: / louisianachannel
Twitter: / louisianachann

[@shaneyeestudio]

Great artist

[@Eltimpanoreptante]

Thanks Liu Xiaodong! you are an inspiration for the world

[@mme8555]

Fabulous and unique, such drafting skills

[@bobb1870]

The art of painting outside is a challenge, his large scale works are to be admired. His work harkens back to impressionism and early 20th century artists in style, bringing a new generation into the narrative.

[@lisengel2498]

I like the idea that if the world of art give you any inspiration in the form of a feeling understanding, it might help you to be inspired to make a change somewhere in the world - it is a very interesting interview, very inspiring in every way - and I really like the idea of the artist as someone communicating and looking across national boundaries

[@colorist_tommy4247]

WELL DONE Louisana Channel for 1. Naming each painting 2. Great translation 3. great audio and video. clear audio. No shaky video. Let's do more non western artists. There is a whole world of them out there.

[@rehasana]

Fascinating philosophy about the life and purpose of the artist! Eye opening! Fantastic translation! Thank you!

[@arcofprado]

amazing content thank you!!!!

[@tauangon412]

he is amazing

[@albertoballocca]

I saw another video of Liu in which he says "In Nature, every minute it's different" - I find the same dynamism in his solid and philosophical words in term of a natural creative coherency.

[@joemeyer6876]

That was great!

[@lisengel2498]

Painting is a way of being full of joy - I agree - and looking at pIntings can somehow rDiate this joy of being totally present

[@albertoballocca]

Master! 🍃🍃

[@goeth89b]

If we could get something like this with George Nick while he’s still alive, that would be something! Thanks for hosting a chops painter. This is heartfelt work.

[@luc7937]

Love

[@cranberrycliche2725]

6.23 Translation error: For the artist is best role model is ‘art’ not ‘Jesus’

[@migenanikdhima8971]

The strangest of them all.