Jia Aili

Jia Aili, a leading figure among a new wave of Chinese artists, is renowned for artworks that merge art historical knowledge with a determination to push the limits of painting.

Biography of Jia Aili

Jia Aili was born in Dandong, Northeast China, in 1979. As a child and teenager, he witnessed the radical changes occurring in his home country. He completed his studies at the Second Studio (New Representationalism) of the Lu Xun Academy of Fine Arts in Shenyang Tiexi District in 2004.

From 2005 to 2007, he served as a teacher at the academy. Following this period, Aili relocated to Black Bridge Village in Beijing. There, his pivotal solo exhibition, "The Wasteland," debuted in the same year, propelling him into the international spotlight.

In 2008, coinciding with Beijing hosting the Olympic Games, Aili embarked on "We Are from the Century" (2008–11). This monumental painting showcases his adeptness in Socialist Realist technique and profound understanding of the old masters' techniques. He employs layers of delicate and translucent colors to create a dynamic interplay between light and shadow, form, and space. The more expressive strokes in Aili's work allude to the mystical imagery found in ancient Chinese Taoist art, aligning with his exploration of self-reflection within the broader human experience.

Over the past decade, the artist has continued to create on a monumental scale, further developing the dark, dramatic essence seen in his earlier works with nuanced and intricate color schemes and compositions. His artistic evolution is evident in a series of exhibitions held at prestigious venues, including the Singapore Art Museum (2012), Teatrino di Palazzo Grassi in Venice (2015), Centro de Arte Contemporáneo de Málaga in Spain (2017), and Gagosian in New York (2019).

In recent years, following visits to China's borders with North Korea and Mongolia, as well as journeys along the Ussuri and Amur Rivers and within the Greater Khingan Range, Jia Aili initiated a series of mountain paintings. These artworks blend his exploration of historical and literary themes with the characteristics of real landscapes while paying homage to the Romantic landscapes of Caspar David Friedrich. Some of the paintings are traditionally framed, while others are presented under glass adorned with spontaneous linear designs. These could be interpreted as spiritual representations of the mountain's enigmatic nature and the convergence of realism and abstraction.

Another subset of paintings incorporates larger, standalone metal-and-glass frames, transforming the pieces into site-specific installations. This series marks a departure from Aili's previous style, yet it retains and expands upon the themes of transformation and contemplation, once again linking the human experience with the grandeur of nature.

Jia Aili's Art Style

In his earlier pieces, Aili sought to mirror the vulnerability of individuals alongside societal transformations. This concept has been a focal point throughout his diverse body of work, which includes elements of abstraction, portraiture, fantastical imagery, everyday scenes, and cultural symbols. He adeptly weaves together the past, present, and future within his art practice.

In his subsequent pieces, Aili introduces a fluid naturalism, portraying scenes with eerie believability and evoking emotionally charged atmospheres. Describing his process as inherently intuitive, Aili applies formal logic to manifest a transcendent vision.