Mar 11, 2023, 2 PM – 4 PM

DrawNow! Paper-Cutting Workshop with Xiyadie

Detail of Xiyadie, *Gate*, 1999. Papercut with water-based dye and Chinese pigments on Xuan paper, 55 1/8 x 55 1/8 in (140 x 140 cm). Courtesy of the artist

Join artist Xiyadie in our galleries for a rare in-person workshop to learn the art of Chinese paper-cutting, on occasion of The Drawing Center's current exhibition Xiyadie: Queer Cut Utopias.

Learning the skill from his mother at a young age, Xiyadie originated his singular artistic language in the more traditional technique of paper-cutting artist. He is the first known Chinese paper-cut artist to publicly depart from the folk-art context as well as the only paper-cutting artist in mainland China to engage with queer themes. His expertise in paper-cutting has allowed him to develop intricate compositions that embrace the ancient art form while subverting it with defiant yet joyful expressions of individualism, deploying traditional techniques to articulate, destigmatize, and celebrate queerness.

This workshop is recommended for participants 18 years and older. All art materials will be provided.
Mandarin/English Interpretation will be available during this event.

Xiyadie

Since his debut solo exhibition at the Beijing LGBT Center (2010), Xiyadie’s work has been shown extensively. He was a participating artist in Spectrosynthesis: Asian LGBTQ Issues and Art Now, the largest survey exhibition of its kind in Asia that was presented at BACC, Bangkok (2019) and MOCA, Taipei (2017). His work has also been shown at Tai Kwun; Blindspot Gallery, both Hong Kong (2022); Haus der Kulturen der Welt; Kraupa-Tuskany Zeidler, both Berlin (2022); Ujazdowski Castle Centre for Contemporary Art, Warsaw (2020); Long March Space, Beijing (2019); Gwangju Biennale (2018); Nome Gallery, Berlin (2018); Para Site, Hong Kong (2017); Galerie Verbeeck – Van Dyck, Antwerp (2015); Topenmuseum, Amsterdam (2015); Museum of World Culture, Gothenburg (2013); Museum of Far Eastern Antiquities, Stockholm (2012); and Flazh!Alley Art Studio, San Pedro, USA (2012). Xiyadie currently lives and works in Shaanxi, China.

The Drawing Center's Education and Community Programs are made possible by the May and Samuel Rudin Family Foundation, Inc. Major support is provided by the Evelyn Toll Family Foundation and the LeRoy Neiman and Janet Byrne Neiman Foundation. Additional support is provided by the Cornelia T. Bailey Foundation, the Milton and Sally Avery Arts Foundation, the Robert Rauschenberg Foundation, and the Claire and Theodore Morse Foundation.

Support for Xiyadie: Queer Cut Utopias is provided by The Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts. Additional funding is provided by The Drawing Center Exhibition Fund, the Teiger Foundation, Galia Meiri-Stawski and Axel Stawski, Frances Beatty and Allen Adler, Dita Amory, Stacey and Rob Goergen, and Barbara Toll.