Xiaochuan Wang - Maus Contemporary

Wang Xiaochuan (b. 1987 in Heihe, Heilongjian Province, China) received his Master's Degree in Painting in 2021 at the Académie Royale des Beaux-Arts de la Ville de Liège in Liège, Belgium. He also holds a Master's Degree in Art (2010-2013) from the Yunnan Arts University in Kunming, Yunnan Province, China, after studying Printmaking (2006-2010) at the Xi'An Academy of Fine Arts in Xi'An, Shaanxi Province, China.

Xiaochuan was the recipient of the Prix de Jeune Artiste in 2021 and his first Museum exhibition was organized by the Musée La Boverie in Liège, Belgium in the Summer of the same year, concurrently with two solo exhibitions in Paris and Belgium, and followed by his first US exhibition at Maus Contemporary.

I'm in search of my own identity, of my "psychic equilibrium" . To do so, it is important to take into account my memory (my "uncertain memories") - the various recent and past family problems who shaped the child that I was, the adult that I have become, and who still shape the man I would like to become.
To this must also be added my growing questioning about the environment in which I operate, an important factor in the search for one's identity, as it oscillates, guides, or overthrows. One thing is for sure, it influences my existence, my being.
I try to use a creative method of storytelling to find and explore my position and identity in society and life. These paintings mix history, reality, dreams, illusions, honesty, and lies.
The combination of all of these elements uplifts me, directs me to an original identity, a very specific moment when I was born again.

All my objects are alive, all my emotions are personal and all our memories are shared. I use them and they are integral part of my creation. The creation process begins with the preparation of the supports. I incorporate many personal items into my paintings, using them as supports to paint on. Clothing, linens, or fabrics, as all of these these objects are the carriers of unique personal memories and emotions.

The recent body of work takes its roots in the current changes in my life, recently turned upside down, adding an intense depth into these newer paintings. My feelings envelop all of my work, and painting being my therapy to get better, to move forward in life... more calmly, more serenely.

- Wang Xiaochuan