Xue'er Gao
(b. 1995)

Bio

Xue’er Gao (she/her) is a graduate of the MFA book art and printmaking program at the University of the Arts in Philadelphia, PA, and a BFA in studio art printmaking at James Madison University. She also works as a freelance visual artist and photographer.

Gao's work is grounded in her background in studio art, particularly in book, printmaking, and papermaking, where she learned and practiced various techniques, later combining them in multiple editions. She has also honed her photography skills, film and digital, and combined them with her practice. She has spent significant time studying traditional Chinese crafts and culture, observing nature, and paying attention to her surroundings.

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"Art is all about experimentation, and I believe that there are no limits to what you can create if you have the courage to try."

 

Statement

My studio practice is all about exploration and experimentation. I create stunning artist books, prints, installations, and 3-dimensional forms using papermaking techniques that transform the patterns of Chinese culture into vibrant, colorful visual poetry. Drawing inspiration from the magical world around me, my art is infused with a sense of wonder and whimsy that captures the essence of artistic vision. And in my artistic creation and learning, I am curious about different materials. Each material has its own characteristics, and I hope I can understand them fundamentally and communicate with them.

Website: www.gaoxueer.com

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• 2023 The Elizabeth C. Roberts Prize for Graduate study in MFA Book Arts and printmaking

• 2024 International Contemporary Furniture Fair - re Craft | Javits Centre, NY

• 2024 Arts North International 29thHopkins Center for the Arts | Hopkins, MN

• 2023 Hacking the Library: An Art in the Libraries Exhibition, West Virginia University Libraries | Morgantown, WV 2023 Philly 2023 MFA Graduates, Commonweal. Gallery | Philadelphia, PA

• 2023 Shapes and colors, Gallerium Art Gallery | online

• 2023 Local Art, I Knead Coffee | Philadelphia, PA

• 2023 Ink, Press, Repeat University Galleries| William Paterson University, Wayne, NJ

• 2022 Book Arts and Print MFA WIP SHOW Anderson Hall Gallery 224 | Philadelphia, PA 2022 Searching for a New Normal Parkway Central Library | Philadelphia, PA

• 2022 WIP Exhibition Gallery 224 | Philadelphia, PA

• 2021 Uarts Book Arts, Printmaking alumni show, Icebox Project Space | Philadelphia,

• 2019 Why You Change Chord, Arts Council of the valley | Harrisonburg, VA 2019 Juried Show, James Madison University | Harrisonburg, VA

• 2018 SPACE, Critique Space 2027 | Harrisonburg, VA

• 2018 Emerging and Emerged Pt. 3, Artwork Gallery | Harrisonburg, VA

• 2018 Record Keepers, Duke Hall Gallery | Harrisonburg, VA

• 2018 Anything, Artwork Gallery | Harrisonburg, VA

• 2018 Accumulation, Pop-Up Art Collective | Harrisonburg, VA

• 2018 39th Annual Student Print Exhibition Traveling Exhibition James Madison University | Harrisonburg, VA