Biography

In his text- and calligraphy-based practice, Qiu Zhijie explores the struggle of self-assertion and basic questions of human existence. Using photography, performance, installation, painting and video, he reflects on the political and theoretical themes common in the art of the late modern era, with a particular focus on Chinese history.

Qiu’s work has been presented in numerous solo exhibitions, including Living Writing, 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art, Kanazawa, Japan (2018); Qiu’s Notes on the Colorful Lantern Scroll, Minsheng Art Museum, Beijing (2018); Journeys without Arrivals, Center of Contemporary Art Geneva and Van Abbe Museum, Eindhoven, the Netherlands (2017); The Big Project, Fujian Art Museum, Fuzhou, China (2015); INK REMIX: Contemporary art from China, Taiwan and Hong Kong, Canberra Museum and Gallery, Bendigo Art Gallery, UNSW Galleries in Sydney and Museum of Brisbane (2015); So, we'll go no more a roving, Caffè Florian, Venice (2015) and The Unicorn and the Dragon, Fondazione Querini Stampalia, Venice (2013). His work has also been featured in group exhibitions at the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum, New York (2018); Fondation Louis Vuitton, Paris (2016); Berkeley Art Museum, US (2016); M21 Museum, Shanghai (2016); 56th Venice Biennale (2015); 31st São Paulo Biennial (2014); Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York (2013) and Göteborg Biennial, Sweden (2013).

His work can be found in the collections of the Guangdong Museum of Art, Guangzhou, China; DSL Collection, Paris; Guggenheim Museum, New York; Institut Valencia d’Art Modern, Spain; Queensland Art Gallery, Brisbane; National Gallery Singapore; International Center of Photography, New York; National Gallery of Scotland, Edinburgh and Ullens Center, Beijing.

He graduated in 1992 from the Printmaking Department, Zhejiang Academy of Fine Arts (now China Academy of Art). Born in 1969 in Zhangzhou, China, he currently lives and works in Beijing and Hangzhou.

SAF participation:
Sharjah Biennial 14

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Qiu Zhijie

Qiu Zhijie: Various Works (2015–2019)

As artist, writer, curator, professor and thinker, Qiu Zhijie draws on many different artistic sources and bodies of thought, from contemporary art to Chinese traditions of ink painting and calligraphy.