Qiu Zhijie
Qiu Zhijie (China, 1969) is a conceptual artist and calligrapher known for his interdisciplinary works combining traditional Chinese art forms with contemporary themes. His Mapping series transforms historical and philosophical concepts into intricate cartographic art. Qiu’s practice bridges past and present, addressing identity, memory, and cultural continuity through performance, installation, and ink art.
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Qiu Zhijie
Tattoo 3, 2000
Limited Edition Print
Digital Print on paper
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I plan to map the world.
- Qiu Zhijie
- Qiu Zhijie
A contemporary Chinese artist practicing primarily through the mediums of photography and video, Qiu Zhijie’s work highlights the tension between the forces of destiny and free will, with other common themes including transience and social fragmentation.
One of his most popular works, Propagator in the Darkness, is heavily centred around the idea of transience and depicts a skeleton yelling through a megaphone from the inside of a bell – Qiu has commented on this piece and explained: “No one can see him or hear him...For me this is about sounds disappearing, about the past disappearing.” Zhijie’s work has also taken form through calligraphy-based practice; one of his most notable works saw him recreating a 4th-century Chinese calligraphic work around 4000 times on one piece of paper across the course of seven years.
One of his most popular works, Propagator in the Darkness, is heavily centred around the idea of transience and depicts a skeleton yelling through a megaphone from the inside of a bell – Qiu has commented on this piece and explained: “No one can see him or hear him...For me this is about sounds disappearing, about the past disappearing.” Zhijie’s work has also taken form through calligraphy-based practice; one of his most notable works saw him recreating a 4th-century Chinese calligraphic work around 4000 times on one piece of paper across the course of seven years.
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Artwork by John BaldessariWhat is conceptual art?
Sometimes referred to as Conceptualism, this is an art form where the idea(s) or concept(s) behind the work take precedence over material concerns and traditional aesthetics. Many conceptual artworks can be created by anyone simply by following written instructions. The concept or idea is the most essential aspect of the artwork.
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