Exhibit: Saturday, October 21, through Saturday, November 18
Reception: Friday, November 3, 6 p.m.
Bereskin Gallery & Art Academy, 2967 State Street, Bettendorf IA
Numerous works by Augustana College professor Xiao, many never before shown to the public, will be on display in a new exhibition partly inspired by an 18th Century Samuel Johnson quote: “Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might; for there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor widsom, in the grave, wither thou goest.”
Born in Beijing, China, Xiao spent his teenage years during Mao's Cultural Revolution, and following a post-high-school period of "re-education" as a farmer, he went to Beijing Normal University to study English. In 1980, Xiao relocated to America and attended Cedar Rapids' Coe College, where he earned his BA in fine arts and English. Upon receiving a subsequent MFA from Philadelphia's Tyler School of Art at Temple University, Xiao worked at the Philadelphia Museum of Art, taught life drawing part-time, and exhibited in Philadelphia and New York. In 1989, he joined the studio-art faculty at Augustana, where the Bettendorf resident is now a professor of art and graphic design.
Xiao's work has been frequently shown in solo and group exhibits in the Quad City area and Midwest region, winning purchase awards from the Davenport Museum of Art and other competitive exhibitions. On display from October 21 through November 18, Moments & Intervals features works resulting, as Xiao says, from “looking at life in brief or long 'intervals,'” with the subjects of his painting including studio objects, models from figure-study sessions, and Xiao's own mirror reflection.
Moments & Intervals' reception will be held from 6 to 9 p.m. on November 3, Xiao's exhibit will be on display from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Wednesdays through Saturdays, and more information is available by calling (563)508-4630 or visiting BereskinArtGallery.com.
