Artist Profile: Qian Xu

Overview
Qian Xu is a Columbus-based painter whose work blends figuration, symbolism, and abstraction to explore the internal worlds of memory, transformation, and self-discovery. With a lyrical brushstroke and a vivid palette, Xu weaves dreamlike narratives that feel both ancient and personal, offering scenes that unfold slowly and evoke a sense of quiet revelation.

In Luminary, Xu presents a mythic tableau of rebirth and illumination. A nude figure reaches outward through a surreal, color-saturated landscape—guided by flowing blue forms and surrounded by organic shapes that suggest growth, reflection, and the subconscious. Painted in oil, the composition feels fluid yet grounded, merging the physical and spiritual in a gesture toward light and insight. Xu’s work invites viewers to dwell in ambiguity and imagination, where stories emerge through sensation rather than clarity.

Featured Artwork

Bushwick Gallery

• Artwork Title: Luminary
• Year of Creation: 2024
• Medium: Oil on canvas
• Dimensions: 30 x 40 inches
• Location: Columbus, Ohio