MLitt Fine Art Practice School of Fine Art
Ziqian Xu
The core of my work has always been focused on “connections between people.” In my view, the relationships between individuals and groups aren’t clearly defined or defined by single lines, but rather a layered, ever-shifting state. For this reason, I choose abstract painting as a medium to transform these complex and subtle connections into a language of color and form.
In my work, I often use the fluidity and overlay of multiple layers of color as a backdrop, symbolizing the diverse and uncertain circumstances of life. Circles represent the existence of individuals or groups, sometimes revealing and sometimes concealing, just as the multifaceted nature of people manifests in different situations. Squares correspond to the structure of “living circles” and social relationships. When squares cover circles, it suggests that within the framework of society or interpersonal relationships, people may conceal parts of their true selves. Through the juxtaposition and interweaving of circles and squares, I attempt to construct an abstract “relationship map,” showcasing the tension between revealing and concealing connections.
For me, art is not only an exploration of form but also an extension of experience. I hope that when viewers view my work, they will not only witness a dialogue between color and form, but also experience their own interpersonal relationships—the interweaving and entanglement of closeness and distance, revelation and concealment, and the connection between the individual and the collective.
My creative method involves a constant process of layering, overlaying, and leaving traces. These visual languages are not simply formal choices, but metaphors for the interaction and connection between people. I believe that each layer of color and each form is a statement of existence and a possibility of relationship.
Through my work, I hope to provide viewers with a space for reflection and reflection. Even in a complex and ever-changing environment and seemingly isolated living circles, we are still connected by invisible threads, and this connection is the core of what I constantly pursue and strive to present.
Works
Connect
Ziqian Xu, postgraduate degree show, 2025
In my work, the backgrounds are based on the overlapping and fluid flow of multiple layers of color, symbolizing the ever-shifting and intertwining environments of life. These colors interpenetrate and overlap, influencing each other while retaining their own distinct forms, much like the society and context in which each person finds themselves, fraught with contingency and uncertainty, yet continually shaping our trajectory and perceptions.
Circular elements are the core symbol within the painting, representing the existence of individual beings or groups. Some are clearly visible, while others are hidden deep within the composition, suggesting that the ways in which people exist with each other are not always apparent. Above these circles, squares form “circles of life,” symbolizing the structure and boundaries of social relationships. When squares cover circles, it suggests that within specific social environments and interpersonal frameworks, people may conceal parts of their true selves, revealing only at appropriate moments or in specific relationships.
This relationship between “obscurity” and “interconnection” is the core of my work—the connection between people often goes beyond visible interactions; it can lie deep beneath the surface, layered by circumstances, identities, rules, or emotions. Yet, even so, these connections persist, resonating through subtle emotions, invisible connections, or shared experiences.
Each block of color and circle on the canvas exists independently, yet serves as a node in a network of connections. Their arrangement and overlap form a boundless “map of relationships.” It reminds us that even in different spheres of life and environments, we still influence and connect with each other on a deeper level.
I hope that when viewers look at these works, they will not only see the dialogue between color and form, but also feel the subtle, hidden, yet ever-present connections between people.
Project Links
