The Latin root "intuito" signifies intuition and insight, symbolizing a profound perceptual ability. It transcends language and logic, directly connecting art with viewers through inner contemplation and acute sensory perception.
The exhibition theme "Intuito" not only expresses the artist's inner intuition and profound reflection in creation but also invites viewers to enter the inner space of the works through silent contemplation, experiencing the delicate flow of nature and life. Holding the exhibition in Barcelona further amplifies the contemporary relevance of this theme: it responds to modern people's longing for inner peace and spiritual care with the Eastern wisdom of ink art.
In this inaugural exhibition, Prof. Xiaobo introduces the audience to new works conceived through the medium of ink on paper – a historic practice anchored in Chinese artistic
culture. Prof. Xiaobo, a master at articulating the language of ink, through the corpus of Intuito, weaves together traditional and contemporary applications of Chinese calligraphy. In the gestural experience offered by the act of painting, the artist delves into philosophical thoughts, seeking an intangible embrace of heaven and earth within a serene state of mind.
Prof. Xiaobo’s subjects are charged with symbolism. Culled from wildlife, a selection of fauna is captured interacting with nature. Associated with longevity, luck and happiness, red-crowned cranes take center stage. They are pictured at rest, alone or in groups, alternatively, engaged in mating dances or flying in sedge. A menacing tiger looks back- a pose symbolic of strength, power, control … a majestic eagle charges the wind downward … is this representative of the innocuous act of landing or the inevitable mark of predatory hunting? dichotomies to reflect upon; strength, resolve, freedom. Nature is represented in sacred chains of mountains peering through clouds, emotions are cast in phases of moonlight, powerful gusts of wind propel the protagonists in indelible scenarios of movement. In essence, life in all its dualities. An exception to the narrative of the exhibition is the inclusion of a composition containing two domestic cats- a white coated feline posed in a loaf resting next to a black one seated on his haunches poised to spring into action. Here we witness an exercise within the dialogue between light and shadows, stillness and alertness, domesticity and the taming of wilderness.
With Intuito, Prof. Xiaobo, offers more than a connection with the self or the outside world. For him, art is a form of expression as well as a spiritual pursuit.
Innovation of contemporary art forms are to be found in a humanistic psyche; one reflected in the pursuit of visual exploration. Intuito aims to stir a conversation on meditation and its relationship to nature.
In this body of work, nature is the backdrop for considering the role of individuals in society, exploring urban symbiosis, and the integration of multiculturalism in a globalized context. New emotions and ideas are sought in the wildlife-filled works authored by Prof. Xiaobo.
What does Prof. Xiaobo aim to convey in reference to nature, society, and life in an era of material abundance, rapid technological development, information explosion, and the convergence of various ideological concepts? Intuito is his answer.
Poetic philosophy transcends cultural boundaries and mirrors the commonality of destiny in humanity. Life is a journey, the artist a traveler.
