Shiyuan Xu, the talented artist hailing from Hangzhou, China, masterfully captures the invisible intricacies of the microscopic world through her porcelain sculptures. Inspired by the unseen beauty of nature, Xu delves into the delicate and abstract realm of single-celled organisms, seeds, and cellular structures. Her creations, intricately detailed and imaginatively abstract, offer viewers a glimpse into the mysterious and fragile universe that silently exists beyond our sight. With her work, Xu not only imitates the natural world but also transforms it, bringing the unseen dance of microorganisms to vivid life through porcelain. Her pieces invite us to ponder the intricate balance and delicate tension between strength and fragility, simplicity and complexity, order and chaos.
Xu’s unique process involves the meticulous hand-building of structures using porcelain paperclay, where she explores non-traditional approaches to glazing these intricate forms. This innovative technique allows her to push artistic boundaries and challenge conventional notions of sculpture. Through the subtleties of her art, Xu captures the ethereal essence of these microscopic wonders, crafting elegantly skeletal lines that intertwine to create harmonious volumes. Her sculptures not only reflect scientific wonders but also highlight the poetic and fragile beauty of life that often goes unnoticed. Shiyuan Xu’s art becomes a bridge, connecting us to the hidden intricacies of nature, prompting a deeper appreciation for the world’s unseen dimensions.
My work is inspired by the research of scientific and microscopic phenomena ranging from single-celled organisms in the ocean to diverse plant seeds on land, and to cells, the building blocks of all life form. My fascination with shapes, patterns, structures and textures of these microorganisms stimulates my creation. I reinterpret these visual elements into sculptural forms revealing the intricacy and fragility of the hidden world. (…) I hand-build structures with porcelain paperclay, and I use unconventional processes to apply glazes on the sculptural pieces. The materials allow me to push the boundaries of fragility and strength, simplicity and complex, order and chaos. Meticulously, the thin skeletal lines are weaved into a harmonious volume.
Shiyuan Xu
More info: Website, Instagram.
