The Chinese language-German artist Su Xiaobai was suggested in 2003 by Gerhard Richter to desert oils and focus on his explorations of lacquer, in accordance with Stephen Little, curator of Asian artwork on the Los Angeles County Museum of Artwork (Lacma). Su took that recommendation, and now solely works in lacquer, typically utilizing immense portions of the tree sap to provide contemplative works that type a bridge between Chinese language inventive traditions and European abstraction.
Alchemical Universe on the Palazzo Soranzo Van Axel in Venice options 35 works by Su, from his early lacquer experiments to latest work created particularly for Venice. One of many collateral occasions of the Biennale and curated by Little, the exhibition is designed by the architect Kulapat Yantrasast and fills the historic rooms of the fifteenth century Cannaregio palazzo. The exhibition produced in collaboration with Lacma.
Su Xiaobai in his studio
© Su Xiaobai Basis, 2026. Courtesy of Su Xiaobai Basis
Su’s most popular format is sq., and his works are shaped of layers upon layers of lacquer, typically scored or abraded, after which recovered with veils of extra lacquer. One room is dedicated to a forest of suspended squares, temple tiles lacquered in deep maroon; one other shows works on the ground, apparently floating above a “sea” fabricated from mirrored Murano glass. A collection of small monochrome works in blacks and greys subtly evoke classical Chinese language ink work, whereas others present color seemingly etching the lacquered surfaces.
As an artist rooted each in Chinese language and Western methods—Su divides his time between studios in Shanghai and Düsseldorf —he melds each traditions, bringing a Chinese language aesthetic to Western abstraction. In 2024, a basis was established to protect and promote his artwork. This yr, it’s launching a Curatorial Residency in Shanghai in collaboration with the College of Southern California’s Roski Faculty of Artwork and Design, offering annual funding for chosen residency candidates.
Su Xiaobai’s Alchemical Universe, Palazzo Soranzo Van Axel, Cannaregio 6099, Venice, 9 Could – 22 November 2026
