Back to top

Liu Xiaodong (b. 1963 in Jincheng, Liaoning Province, China) lives and works in Beijing. He is best known for his involvement in a new generation of Chinese realism characterised by the need to break free of historical or propagandistic motifs to express stronger emotions. Xiaodong is in search of scenes that are part of life. Looking for people’s everyday existence, he depicts moments and stories from contemporary human life showing an extraordinary empathy, capturing not only the characters but also their environment. His practice tackles contemporary social issues including migrant displacement, environmental crisis, living conditions of the less fortunate and the results of ill-politics and economic disruption. Recent solo exhibitions include UCCA Center for Contemporary Art, Beijing; Faurschou Foundation, New York (2022); Dallas Contemporary, Dallas (2021); MASSIMODECARLO, London (2020); Louisiana Museum, Humlebæk (2019). 

Liu Xiaodong

STEEL 10, 2017
Oil on canvas
140 × 150 cm / 55 1/8 × 59 inches

Liu Xiaodong

STEEL 11, 2017
Oil on canvas
140 × 150 cm / 55 1/8 × 59 inches

Liu Xiaodong

STEEL 3, 2016
Oil on canvas
50 × 100 cm / 19 1/2 × 39 3/8 inches

Liu Xiaodong

THESE DAYS, VERY HAPPY, 2012
Oil on canvas
300 × 250 cm / 118 7/64 × 98 27/64 inches

Liu Xiaodong

ROSE, 2012
Oil on canvas
110 × 80 cm / 43 1/3 × 31 1/2 inches

Liu Xiaodong

MIDNIGHT, 2012
Oil on canvas
110 × 80 cm / 43 5/16 × 31 1/2 inches

Liu Xiaodong

STAR, 2012
Oil on canvas
110 × 80 cm / 43 5/16 × 31 1/2 inches

Liu Xiaodong

GUARDIAN OF MARS, 2012
Oil on canvas
110 × 80 cm / 43 5/16 × 31 1/2 inches

Liu Xiaodong

THE GOD OF WAR, 2012
Oil on canvas
110 × 80 cm / 43 5/16 × 31 1/2 inches

Liu Xiaodong

EGGPLANT, 2012
Oil on canvas
80 × 110 cm / 31 1/2 × 43 5/16 inches

Liu Xiaodong

A SMALL FLAME, 2012
Oil on canvas
110 × 80 cm / 43 5/16 × 31 1/2 inches

Liu Xiaodong

YEZI (LEAF), 2011
Oil on canvas
140 × 150 cm / 55 1/8 × 59 inches frame size: 175x 185 cm