​

"The Liberation of Nature: The Abstract Expressions of April Xue"

 

Artist Biography

Wei Xue (b. 1969), known artistically as April Xue, currently resides in New York.

 

Born in 1969 in China, Wei Xue grew up amidst the vast landscapes of northwest China. The magnificent scenery of her childhood deeply inspired her love for nature. This love grew even stronger after she moved to the United States in 1994, as the grandeur of the Grand Canyon and the vibrant colors and textures of parks near her Long Island home ignited her artistic inspiration. From the infinity of the cosmos to the fiery leaves on a blooming tree in a neighbor’s yard, everything fascinates her and profoundly influences her art today.

 

Xue's educational journey began with a degree in mechanical engineering from Beijing University of Chemical Technology, eventually leading to graduate studies in computer science in New York. However, her strong desire to paint ultimately led her into the art world. Under the guidance of renowned American artist and educator Yanbo Huang, she not only learned painting techniques but also developed her unique creative style.

 

From a secluded town in northwest China to historic Beijing and then vibrant, diverse New York, her varied educational background and personal experiences have shaped her distinctive artistic approach. Drawing inspiration from the distant aesthetics of Tang and Song poetry and the bold colors of Western art, she creates works that merge diverse cultural influences and environmental stimuli.

 

Xue’s creative drive stems from nature, but her joy in creation lies not in replicating reality but in exploring the nature within the soul. April Xue tirelessly engages in the process of "experiment, destroy, and reborn." For her, the creation of "not replicating nature but creating nature" reflects her immense joy in the daily struggle with her art, as if she never knows fatigue or frustration, filled with boundless energy.

 

For her, each creation is an exploration of self-discovery. Painting is not merely applying color to canvas but a dialogue with another self from parallel universes. Her art strives to convey and express her deepest emotions and thoughts. Using color and brushstrokes, she creates unique worlds that blend her past, present, future, and dreams. These works reflect not only the essence of art but also her personal life insights. Through them, people can sense her joy, sorrow, and passion.

 

April Xue’s Abstract Expressions

Technique and Performance

Acrylic paint is her primary medium, known for its vibrant colors, quick-drying properties, and excellent versatility. Utilizing these characteristics, she has honed a unique technique that allows her to depict the rich textures and layers of color in natural environments on canvas. Xue’s techniques combine various methods, including impasto and fluid painting, to create surfaces that are rich and textured. Her fluid painting techniques are very distinctive, with natural gradients and blends of color, showcasing her advanced skills in color mixing and control. The textures and details of her paintings are meticulously handled, with each subtle variation seeming to hold unique significance. The layering technique creates a rich, complex visual experience, inviting viewers to explore the painting from different angles and distances.

 

Observing April Xue’s recent works, viewers will be impressed by her versatile style. In a television interview, she likened her current painting mood to that of an eager child rushing into a magical candy store, constantly exploring different techniques to express her vision of natural beauty.

 

Characteristics of Her Works

April Xue loves abstract painting because it brings her immense freedom in painting. April Xue’s paintings exhibit the essence of abstract art, creating dynamic and deep visual experiences through bold use of color and intricate textures. Consequently, the renowned American art magazine Art Market featured her in the May 2024 issue with the theme "True Color," highlighting 14 of her uniquely styled and vividly dynamic works.

 

At the 2024 New York Art Expo, Xue presented her latest series of acrylic paintings. Her creative process is a journey into the unknown. Each painting evokes her memories of nature, echoes of childhood, attachment to the natural world, and the accumulation of her life experiences. These reflections are enriched by the fusion of Eastern and Western cultures and intersect with the shifts in her middle-aged psychology.

 

For instance, her blue series showcases the remarkable interaction between abstract and natural elements, creating a fantastical and soothing atmosphere. The balance between details and abstraction allows for personal interpretation and emotional connection, capturing the transient beauty of nature. The representative work in this series, "Blue Echo," not only attracts with its aesthetic beauty but also invites viewers to explore their own emotional and imaginative responses, demonstrating the artist’s unique perspective and technical skills.

 

The black and white gold series conveys a sense of chaos and harmony coexisting. The chaotic brushstrokes suggest natural or emotional turmoil, while the balanced composition provides cohesion. This duality adds depth to the paintings, making them not only visually engaging but also emotionally touching. The monochromatic palette combined with complex details and dynamic composition makes this series stand out in the contemporary abstract art scene. It showcases Xue’s unique perspective and her ability to evoke strong reactions through her art.

 

The green series is a delicate exploration of form, color, and texture, evoking a sense of ethereal beauty and tranquility. This series has a transcendental quality, as if depicting a dreamlike landscape that exists beyond the physical world. An example from this series, "Transcendent Calm," is most notable for its minimalist approach. The ethereal quality of the painting is enhanced by delicate, almost transparent layers of color. This technique creates a sense of depth and dimension, making the forms appear to float within the canvas. The lightness of the palette and the fluidity of the forms create a dreamlike atmosphere, encouraging viewers to immerse themselves in this serene beauty.

 

April Xue’s works achieve high artistic standards in color, form, and emotional expression. They offer both visual beauty and internal depth and meaning. Recently, these unique attributes have also attracted attention from renowned high-end commercial real estate investment sectors. It is hoped that through her art, the power and beauty of nature can be successfully integrated with high-end architecture and presented to the public.

 

In recent years, April Xue has exhibited her work at art fairs worldwide, including at Art Expo New York in 2023 and 2024, in a group exhibition at the Haegeumgang Theme Museum in Geojie, South Korea, in 2023, and in a solo exhibition at the MoRA Museum of International Art, Metropolitan Area. The upcoming exhibition will take place at the famous Hamptons Fine Art Fair, NY, from July 11-14, 2024.

 

"If my work resonates with your spirit, that will be my greatest recognition!" — April Xue