Aquatint, photoetching, carborundum and handcoloured
Su Xiaobai's Moonlight Halo (2015) is a striking example of minimalist abstraction, utilizing aquatint, photoetching, carborundum, and hand-coloring techniques. This limited edition print presents a bold, deep blue square at its center, surrounded by a subtle, irregular halo of softened edges in muted tones. The square’s rich color depth and soft, ethereal boundary evoke the quiet intensity of moonlight diffusing through darkness, creating a meditative visual experience. Xiaobai’s refined approach emphasizes texture and color, drawing the viewer into a contemplative space where form and hue intersect, reflecting his philosophical exploration of emptiness and presence within abstract shapes.
Su Xiaobai (China, 1949) is a contemporary artist known for his abstract works that explore color, texture, and form. After studying at the Kunstakademie Düsseldorf, he developed a unique style incorporating traditional Chinese lacquer techniques with modern abstraction. Su's art often reflects themes of existence and perception, bridging Eastern and Western artistic philosophies.
EtchingEtching is a technique where a design is created on a metal surface by using a strong acid or mordant to eat away the unprotected parts of the metal, leaving the desired pattern in relief (intaglio). In modern art and manufacturing, different chemicals may be used depending on the material being etched.
Aquatint, photoetching, carborundum and handcoloured
Su Xiaobai's Moonlight Halo (2015) is a striking example of minimalist abstraction, utilizing aquatint, photoetching, carborundum, and hand-coloring techniques. This limited edition print presents a bold, deep blue square at its center, surrounded by a subtle, irregular halo of softened edges in muted tones. The square’s rich color depth and soft, ethereal boundary evoke the quiet intensity of moonlight diffusing through darkness, creating a meditative visual experience. Xiaobai’s refined approach emphasizes texture and color, drawing the viewer into a contemplative space where form and hue intersect, reflecting his philosophical exploration of emptiness and presence within abstract shapes.
Su Xiaobai (China, 1949) is a contemporary artist known for his abstract works that explore color, texture, and form. After studying at the Kunstakademie Düsseldorf, he developed a unique style incorporating traditional Chinese lacquer techniques with modern abstraction. Su's art often reflects themes of existence and perception, bridging Eastern and Western artistic philosophies.
My object is the surface layer presented on the painting.
- Xiaobai Su
Xiaobai Su, a sculptor, painter and printmaker, was born in the Republic of China. He studied art in Wuhan School of Arts and Craft in 1965, Wuhan School of Painting and Hubei Institute of Fine Arts. Later on in 1985, he joined the Beijing Central Academy of Fine Arts. He was awarded a scholarship to study in Germany in 1987 by the Dusseldorf Academy of Fine Arts where he undertook his graduate program. In 2003, Xiaobai Su moved back to china, and was inspired by a millennium-old plant material that acted as the symbol of Oriental culture. He was diverse in his painting tools experimenting on clay, oils, sack cloths, vines and even wood. Xiaobai Su's work after studying in Germany was deeply instigated by modernism and abstraction. Xiaobai Su was celebrated with an exhibition of his work from 2006-2010 at the National Taiwan Museum of Fine Arts.
Contemporary art refers to avant-garde or innovative art created in the recent past or present day. The exact starting point of contemporary art varies depending on the institution, often tied to the founding year of museums or galleries that showcase the style. Contemporary art is characterized by its focus on current ideas, diverse media, and the exploration of new concepts and techniques.