Liu Ye
Biography
Born in Beijing in 1964, Liu Ye is a painter whose work explores the confluence of history and representation through a unique lexicon that bridges temporal and geographical divides. His paintings, which are both meticulously composed and vibrantly executed, draw from a rich tapestry of aesthetic and cultural references. Influenced by his upbringing in China and his formative years in Europe, Liu incorporates elements from the lives and works of literary figures such as Vladimir Nabokov, Hans Christian Andersen, and William Shakespeare, along with 20th-century Chinese cultural figures like actress Ruan Lingyu and writer Eileen Chang, and modernist influencers from the Bauhaus to Balthus. For over three decades, these inspirations have fueled a portfolio that is both historically resonant and unmistakably personal.
Educated in mural painting at the Central Academy of Fine Arts and industrial design at the School of Arts & Crafts in Beijing, Liu further honed his craft at the Hochschule der Künste in Berlin. His European tenure, spanning six years, included a notable six-month residency at the Rijksakademie in Amsterdam in 1998.
Noteworthy exhibitions include "Liu Ye: Pierre Menard" at the New Century Art Foundation in Beijing (2021–2022), and "Storytelling: Liu Ye," which debuted at Prada Rong Zhai, Shanghai in 2018, before moving to Fondazione Prada, Milan (2020–2021). His works have also been featured at the Mondriaanhuis in The Netherlands (2016) and Kunstmuseum Bern in Switzerland (2007).
In 2017, Liu's art was part of the 57th Venice Biennale, "Viva Arte Viva." Additionally, his work has been highlighted in major group shows worldwide, demonstrating his international appeal and the wide-ranging interest in his unique artistic voice.
Liu's works are included in numerous prestigious public collections, such as the Long Museum in Shanghai, the M+ Sigg Collection in Hong Kong, and the Museum of Art Pudong, among others. Liu continues to live and create in Beijing, where his journey as an artist first began, contributing significantly to both the Chinese and global art landscapes.
