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Xiao Wen Xu

Xiao Wen Xu

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.

VIEW ALL ARTWORKS
Xiao Wen Xu: Collecting Leaves

Collecting Leaves

Xiao Wen Xu

16 x 16 in

41 x 41 cm

US$ 210
Xiao Wen Xu: Poppies IV

Poppies IV

Xiao Wen Xu

14 x 18 in

36 x 46 cm

US$ 280
Xiao Wen Xu: Poppies III

Poppies III

Xiao Wen Xu

14 x 18 in

36 x 46 cm

US$ 280
Xiao Wen Xu: Wildflowers

Wildflowers

Xiao Wen Xu

12 x 12 in

31 x 31 cm

US$ 160
All artworks by artist


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.
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

               

                2022        New Romance, Show Gallery, 978 Queen Street West, Toronto, Canada


 

                GROUP EXHIBITIONS

                2024        Visual Arts Mississauga, 4170 Riverwood Park Lane, Mississauga, Canada

                2023        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

                2022        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

                2021        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

               

                2020        Roots and Belonging Juried Group Exhibition, Leslie Grove Gallery, Toronto, Canada

                2019        Central Ontario Art Association Members Show, Button Factory, Waterloo, Canada

                2018        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

                2017        Button Factory Holiday Arts Market, Button Factory

                AWARDS AND SCHOLARSHIPS

                2024 Ontario Arts Council, Exhibition Assistance Grant, Ontario, Canada

                2017 Sharon & David Johnston Award Scholarship, Waterloo, Canada

                2017 Walter Metzger Memorial Award Scholarship, Waterloo, Canada

                2016 Say Yes to Me Scholarship, Canada

                2016 NEADS Student Award Scholarship, Canada

                2016 University of Waterloo Graduate Scholarship, Waterloo, Canada

                2009 – 12 Queen Elizabeth Aiming for the Top Scholarship, Canada

                2011 Ontario International Education Opportunity Scholarship, Waterloo, Canada

                2010 University of Waterloo School of Architecture Design Award, Canada

                2009 University of Waterloo President’s Scholarship, Waterloo, Canada

                2009 Upper Grand District School Board Visual Arts Award, Guelph, Canada

               

                EDUCATION

                2018 Master of Architecture, University of Waterloo School of Architecture, Cambridge, Canada

                2016 Bachelor of Architectural Studies, Honours Co-operative Program (with Distinction)

                University of Waterloo School of Architecture, Cambridge, Canada