Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Sal Xu. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Sal, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Can you share a story about the kindest thing someone has done for you and why it mattered so much or was so meaningful to you?
Reflecting on the question,I remember a touching moment at one of my show openings. A viewer told me they could truly feel all the beautiful moments that existed during the process of making that work. This simple yet profound appreciation meant so much. In today’s fast-paced world, it’s rare and incredibly meaningful to have someone not only observe your work closely but also appreciate the time, effort, and joy that brought the project to life. Their words were a gentle reminder of why I create, it’s all about forging genuine connections with others.
Sal, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?
Hello, my name is Sal Xu, a sculptor currently working and studying at Rhode Island School of Design, Providence, USA. My artistic practice revolves around the confusing logic of everyday life. I draw inspiration from common symbols, material languages, and the subtle emotions we experience whether bodily or psychologically. “What/which moments are you living in? Why are you here? How do you keep going? Where am I heading?”. My recent works usually start with intuition and reflection, focusing on delving into the complex interplay among individuals, materials, locations, and time. My work primarily consists of installation, sculpture and video, with a strong interest in translucent mediums, such as wax, silicone and resin. Translucency is confusion. Through my practice, I hope to capture the fleeting subtleties of our lived experiences and the details that, if not preserved, might fade from our memories and timeline. Other than art making, I find passion in community making, engaging in various educational programs and creative community projects.
Is there mission driving your creative journey?
When I first started college, two unexpected seizures and the memory loss that followed really turned my world upside down. The significance of capturing fleeting memories becomes not just a thematic pursuit but a personal battle. This personal challenge transformed my approach to art. Art-making for me turned into a method to cope with and counteract the fragility of my own memories. It is not merely an aesthetic endeavor but a necessary act of preservation, a way to hold on to the details that define my experience and our collective human experience. Thus, my artistic journey is driven by a deep need to document and retain the subtleties of life that memory loss threatens to erase, making each work a crucial piece in the puzzle of recollecting and understanding my own existence and the world around me. I hope for someone to look at my work and say, “I remember now!”
Do you think there is something that non-creatives might struggle to understand about your journey as a creative? Maybe you can shed some light?
For those who aren’t deeply involved in creative fields, it might be surprising to learn just how much art can intertwine with everyday life. It’s not just a job or a hobby for many of us; it’s an integral part of who we are. It shapes how we think, act, and view the world. Art blurs the lines between work and leisure—it’s essential for understanding and engaging with life. This connection deepens especially when art helps us handle personal challenges or trauma. In these moments, the act of creating becomes a therapeutic process, a way to make sense of experiences, preserve them, and even transform them.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: @5al_pplex
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/salxu078yaxuan
Image Credits
Sal Xu