Imagine Under: Falling into a Hollowed Mirror

Xindi Hu

Summary
Final work

As a visual artist from Beijing, currently based in London, I specialize in research-based art projects. I use a variety of materials to continuously expand and evolve my body of work, which includes painting, sculpture, printmaking, drawing, and ceramics. In my paintings, I apply soft brushstrokes and layer thin coats of oil paint on canvas, transforming the medium into a vibrant realm where figures and narratives intertwine. This approach yields a surface that beckons viewers into a created world, encouraging the exploration of archetypes interwoven within the work. My experimentation extends to creating portal spaces within ceramic frames for watercolor paintings, crafted with a combination of transparent colors and dense lines.

As a visual artist from Beijing, currently based in London, I specialize in research-based art pr...

CollegeCamberwell College of Arts
CourseMA Fine Art: Painting
Graduation year2024

In exploring the heroine's journey and ecofeminism, I delve into the fantasy genre, transforming temporal narratives with imagery of unconscious symbols found in myths and legends. Looking downward, I envision a mirror hollowing in, reflecting the hopes and fears of the aftermath in the underworlds, the gigantic geological zones unseen by human eyes. Descending through time, we sink to the core of the planet in a metaphorical 'kiss of death' alongside civilizations like the dinosaurs.

Using the underground as the backdrop where the journey occurs, I incorporate imagery of supernatural encounters shaped by the concept of magical realism and the reformation of architectural space. These visual encounters don't explain anything but create a chaotic composition that mimics a realistic depiction of the Earth's surface. In this dive, I add female figures and feminine imagery, drawing upon documentation of my observations and physical experiences with nature, a collection of oral tales from elders, and research on symbols from traditional nature worship practices among Chinese minorities.