We recently connected with Xuanchen Fan and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Xuanchen thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. We’d love to hear about a project that you’ve worked on that’s meant a lot to you.

One produced Two; Two produced Three; Three produced All things. 230*130cm Painting

This sentence is from Taoism. It can be seen as a progression or evolution from simplicity to complexity, from unity to diversity, and from a singular origin to a multitude of manifestations.

It could be interpreted as a reflection of the increasing complexity and interconnectedness of our global society, driven by technological advancements and a growing awareness of the importance of sustainability and environmental conservation. It highlights the potential for innovation, collaboration, and conscious decision-making to create a future where humanity coexists harmoniously with nature and thrives in a rapidly changing world.

The painting’s concept revolves around parallel universes and futurism. In Chinese culture, the Taihu stone, characterized by its numerous perforations, is believed to serve as a portal connecting different worlds. In my painting, I aim to evoke the sensation of a garden existing across multiple parallel universes. Some viewers perceive it as encapsulating various seasons or different times of the day within a single canvas.

Drawing from traditional Chinese folklore, Jade is mythically employed by deities to mend the heavens, possessing the ability to channel balanced energies to Earth. In my artwork, I strategically place three pieces of Jade—one in the water, one on land, and one in the sky—to symbolize Jade’s role in interlinking the entire universe.

The entirety of the painting draws inspiration from ancient fairy tales, blending them with a bold and contemporary art style to create a vision that transcends time and space.

Taoism teaches that the universe and society operate according to their own inherent principles of development. This philosophy encourages us to release our anxieties about controlling everything. Instead, we are urged to focus on excelling in our own endeavors and trust that society and individuals will naturally find their paths in life.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

Nature itself is divine and we should live in harmony with nature’s cycles and systems.
— Xuanchen Fan

Nature and Chinese ancient philosophy pervade every aspect of Xuanchen’s work. The Chinese artist’s vibrant, avant-grand artworks echo natural phenomena and undergirds a powerful taoism philosophy and spiritual symbolism.

Xuanchen graduated from University of Miami (BS) and Central Saint Martins (MA). She worked with Swatch, English National Opera and the Children Society in London as an artist or filmmaker. In 2017, she starts her career as a digital artist, and have worked with English National Opera. Her artworks have been selected into many major film festivals, worldwide museums, galleries and won awards around the world. In 2023, she attended the Swatch Art Hotel Residency, and her artworks have been featured in Swatch Art Journey exhibition. After that, her artworks have been collected by Swatch Group in Switzerland and Swatch Art Peace Hotel in Shanghai. In 2024, her 13 ft tall inflatable sculpture art YinYang Baby exhibited at the Tru/False Film festival. She is currently having a solo exhibition at the intercontinental hotel Miami in May. Her upcoming solo exhibition will be at the ClubMed Resort in June.

Xuanchen Fan worked with Swatch, English National Opera and the Children Society in London as an artist or filmmaker. IIn 2023, she attended the Swatch Art Hotel Residency, and her artworks have been featured in Swatch Art Journey exhibition. After that, her artworks have been collected by Swatch Group in Switzerland and Swatch Art Peace Hotel in Shanghai. In 2024, her 13 ft tall inflatable sculpture art YinYang Baby exhibited at the Tru/False Film festival. She has a solo exhibition at the intercontinental hotel Miami in May. Another solo exhibition happens at China Central Place in July-August.

Have any books or other resources had a big impact on you?

As an artist, it is essential for me to center my focus on my identity and cultural heritage. Therefore, I immerse myself in literature on Asian folklore and philosophy, such as Taoism.

What can society do to ensure an environment that’s helpful to artists and creatives?

Society must show greater respect for artists. Every artist, whether emerging or renowned, encounters a common challenge: individuals, be they friends or strangers, often request paintings and artworks for free. It is crucial for society to value and respect the outcomes of artists.

Contact Info:

• Website: http://xuanchenfan.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/xchenfan/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/xuanchen-fan-1683b8141/