Xiao Wen Xu, a Chinese-born Canadian artist based in Toronto, began her artistic journey at the age of three in Tianjin, China. Despite studying Architecture at the University of Waterloo, her passion for painting never waned. After a transformative experience at CAMH Hospital in Toronto, she embraced painting full-time, dedicating her early proceeds to the hospital.
Her artistic practice is deeply influenced by her profound appreciation for the natural world. In her series, "Imagined Flora," she draws inspiration from childhood memories, reimagining flowers with a bold and vibrant palette. Through a masterful blend of wet-on-wet and dry-on-wet watercolor techniques, she captures the essence of happiness and joy, inviting viewers to escape into a "new romantic world" of her creation.
Featured in prestigious galleries and private collections worldwide, Xiao Wen Xu is a prominent figure in Toronto's art scene, with successful solo exhibitions and a vibrant family life inspiring her creations.
Xiao Wen Xu is a Chinese-born Canadian artist based in Toronto, Canada, whose creative journey began at the tender age of three in her hometown of Tianjin, China. Initially drawn to the world of painting through weekend art classes, her passion for art blossomed early, leading her to dream of a career as a professional painter by the end of kindergarten.
Xiao Wen Xu navigated towards what some might consider a more "practical" path, pursuing studies in Architecture. Graduating from the University of Waterloo with a Masters of Architecture in 2018, she dedicated three years to practicing architecture while nurturing her love for painting during her spare moments, participating in juried exhibitions along the way.
In 2021, Xiao Wen Xu found herself admitted to CAMH Hospital in Toronto, where the transformative power of art became evident as a beacon of hope and solace in her life. Following her recovery, she resolved to follow her true passion wholeheartedly, transitioning to a full-time career in painting. In a remarkable gesture, she dedicated her initial year’s painting proceeds to CAMH as a gesture of gratitude.
Her artistic practice is deeply influenced by her profound appreciation for the natural world. In her series, "Imagined Flora," she draws inspiration from childhood memories, reimagining flowers with a bold and vibrant palette. Through a masterful blend of wet-on-wet and dry-on-wet watercolor techniques, she captures the essence of happiness and joy, inviting viewers to escape into a "new romantic world" of her creation.
Xiao Wen Xu's art has been featured in renowned galleries like Show Gallery, Paula White Diamond Gallery, and Art Gallery of Hamilton. Her work is cherished in private collections across Canada, China, Barbados, and the US, and is also part of the public collection of the Canadian Mental Health Association. Based in Toronto, she's a prominent figure in the local art scene, with two successful solo exhibitions in 2022 and 2023.
SOLO EXHIBITIONS
2023- Rainbowland, Show Gallery, 978 Queen Street West, Toronto, Canada
- New Romance, Show Gallery, 978 Queen Street West, Toronto, Canada
GROUP EXHIBITIONS
2024- Visual Arts Mississauga, 4170 Riverwood Park Lane, Mississauga, Canada
- Queen West Art Crawl, Trinity Bellwoods Park, 790 Queen Street West, Toronto, Canada
- Oakville Art in the Park, Bronte Heritage Waterfront Park, Oakville, Canada
- Being Scene Juried Group Show, Daniels Spectrum 1st Floor, 585 Dundas St E, Toronto
- Button Factory Holiday Arts Market, Button Factory, Waterloo, Canada
- Big Idea Juried Show, Paula White Diamond Gallery, Waterloo, Canada
- Button Factory Annual Juried Exhibition, Button Factory, Waterloo, Canada
- COAA Members Show, The Link at Innovation Park, 609-619 Kumpf Drive, Waterloo
- COAA Juried Show, Dundas Museum, 139 Park Street West, Dundas, Canada
- Art Gallery of Hamilton Art Sale 2022, 123 King Street West, Hamilton, Canada
- Being Scene Juried Group Show, 2104 Dundas Street West, Toronto, Canada
- Big Holiday Smalls Juried Group Show, Leslie Grove Gallery, Toronto, Canada
- Newmarket Juried Art Show, Toronto, Canada
- Opening Our Doors Juried Group Exhibition, Leslie Grove Gallery, Toronto, Canada
- Portraits of Resilience, Art Gallery of Ontario, Toronto, Canada
- Winter Mini Gallery Juried Show, Newmarket Juried Art Show, Toronto, Canada
- Drawing Juried Group Show, John B. Aird Gallery, Toronto, Canada
- Big Holiday Smalls Juried Group Show, Leslie Grove Gallery, Toronto, Canada
- Roots and Belonging Juried Group Exhibition, Leslie Grove Gallery, Toronto, Canada
- Central Ontario Art Association Members Show, Button Factory, Waterloo, Canada
- Button Factory Juried Show, Button Factory, Waterloo, Canada
- In the Round, Proof Studio Gallery, Toronto, Canada
- Hoop-la Show, Necessary Arts Company, Guelph, Canada
- Central Ontario Art Association Juried Show, Art Gallery of Hamilton, Hamilton, Canada
- Button Factory Holiday Arts Market, Button Factory
AWARDS AND SCHOLARSHIPS
2024- Ontario Arts Council, Exhibition Assistance Grant, Ontario, Canada
- Sharon & David Johnston Award Scholarship, Waterloo, Canada
- Walter Metzger Memorial Award Scholarship, Waterloo, Canada
- Say Yes to Me Scholarship, Canada
- NEADS Student Award Scholarship, Canada
- University of Waterloo Graduate Scholarship, Waterloo, Canada
- Queen Elizabeth Aiming for the Top Scholarship, Canada
- Ontario International Education Opportunity Scholarship, Waterloo, Canada
- University of Waterloo School of Architecture Design Award, Canada
- University of Waterloo President’s Scholarship, Waterloo, Canada
- Upper Grand District School Board Visual Arts Award, Guelph, Canada
EDUCATION
2018- Master of Architecture, University of Waterloo School of Architecture, Cambridge, Canada
- Bachelor of Architectural Studies, Honours Co-operative Program (with Distinction), University of Waterloo School of Architecture, Cambridge, Canada
Xiao Wen Xu is a Chinese-born Canadian artist based in Toronto, Canada, whose creative journey began at the tender age of three in her hometown of Tianjin, China. Initially drawn to the world of painting through weekend art classes, her passion for art blossomed early, leading her to dream of a career as a professional painter by the end of kindergarten.
Xiao Wen Xu navigated towards what some might consider a more "practical" path, pursuing studies in Architecture. Graduating from the University of Waterloo with a Masters of Architecture in 2018, she dedicated three years to practicing architecture while nurturing her love for painting during her spare moments, participating in juried exhibitions along the way.
In 2021, Xiao Wen Xu found herself admitted to CAMH Hospital in Toronto, where the transformative power of art became evident as a beacon of hope and solace in her life. Following her recovery, she resolved to follow her true passion wholeheartedly, transitioning to a full-time career in painting. In a remarkable gesture, she dedicated her initial year’s painting proceeds to CAMH as a gesture of gratitude.
Her artistic practice is deeply influenced by her profound appreciation for the natural world. In her series, "Imagined Flora," she draws inspiration from childhood memories, reimagining flowers with a bold and vibrant palette. Through a masterful blend of wet-on-wet and dry-on-wet watercolor techniques, she captures the essence of happiness and joy, inviting viewers to escape into a "new romantic world" of her creation.
Xiao Wen Xu's art has been featured in renowned galleries like Show Gallery, Paula White Diamond Gallery, and Art Gallery of Hamilton. Her work is cherished in private collections across Canada, China, Barbados, and the US, and is also part of the public collection of the Canadian Mental Health Association. Based in Toronto, she's a prominent figure in the local art scene, with two successful solo exhibitions in 2022 and 2023.
SOLO EXHIBITIONS
2023- Rainbowland, Show Gallery, 978 Queen Street West, Toronto, Canada
- New Romance, Show Gallery, 978 Queen Street West, Toronto, Canada
GROUP EXHIBITIONS
2024- Visual Arts Mississauga, 4170 Riverwood Park Lane, Mississauga, Canada
- Queen West Art Crawl, Trinity Bellwoods Park, 790 Queen Street West, Toronto, Canada
- Oakville Art in the Park, Bronte Heritage Waterfront Park, Oakville, Canada
- Being Scene Juried Group Show, Daniels Spectrum 1st Floor, 585 Dundas St E, Toronto
- Button Factory Holiday Arts Market, Button Factory, Waterloo, Canada
- Big Idea Juried Show, Paula White Diamond Gallery, Waterloo, Canada
- Button Factory Annual Juried Exhibition, Button Factory, Waterloo, Canada
- COAA Members Show, The Link at Innovation Park, 609-619 Kumpf Drive, Waterloo
- COAA Juried Show, Dundas Museum, 139 Park Street West, Dundas, Canada
- Art Gallery of Hamilton Art Sale 2022, 123 King Street West, Hamilton, Canada
- Being Scene Juried Group Show, 2104 Dundas Street West, Toronto, Canada
- Big Holiday Smalls Juried Group Show, Leslie Grove Gallery, Toronto, Canada
- Newmarket Juried Art Show, Toronto, Canada
- Opening Our Doors Juried Group Exhibition, Leslie Grove Gallery, Toronto, Canada
- Portraits of Resilience, Art Gallery of Ontario, Toronto, Canada
- Winter Mini Gallery Juried Show, Newmarket Juried Art Show, Toronto, Canada
- Drawing Juried Group Show, John B. Aird Gallery, Toronto, Canada
- Big Holiday Smalls Juried Group Show, Leslie Grove Gallery, Toronto, Canada
- Roots and Belonging Juried Group Exhibition, Leslie Grove Gallery, Toronto, Canada
- Central Ontario Art Association Members Show, Button Factory, Waterloo, Canada
- Button Factory Juried Show, Button Factory, Waterloo, Canada
- In the Round, Proof Studio Gallery, Toronto, Canada
- Hoop-la Show, Necessary Arts Company, Guelph, Canada
- Central Ontario Art Association Juried Show, Art Gallery of Hamilton, Hamilton, Canada
- Button Factory Holiday Arts Market, Button Factory
AWARDS AND SCHOLARSHIPS
2024- Ontario Arts Council, Exhibition Assistance Grant, Ontario, Canada
- Sharon & David Johnston Award Scholarship, Waterloo, Canada
- Walter Metzger Memorial Award Scholarship, Waterloo, Canada
- Say Yes to Me Scholarship, Canada
- NEADS Student Award Scholarship, Canada
- University of Waterloo Graduate Scholarship, Waterloo, Canada
- Queen Elizabeth Aiming for the Top Scholarship, Canada
- Ontario International Education Opportunity Scholarship, Waterloo, Canada
- University of Waterloo School of Architecture Design Award, Canada
- University of Waterloo President’s Scholarship, Waterloo, Canada
- Upper Grand District School Board Visual Arts Award, Guelph, Canada
EDUCATION
2018- Master of Architecture, University of Waterloo School of Architecture, Cambridge, Canada
- Bachelor of Architectural Studies, Honours Co-operative Program (with Distinction), University of Waterloo School of Architecture, Cambridge, Canada