Q: I like to start in the beginning, so I would love to hear more about where you're from, and how/when you first discovered art? 

I was born in Chengdu, China, and raised in Canada and US. I remember drawing a red sun in elementary school and the kids and teacher commented, the sun is yellow and not red. There I learned the beauty and truth about art, how we have the power to express our own realities yet we are conditioned to think certain ways and limit our creativity. I am inspired by a fight for truth and creativity.

Q: Your recent projects REBIRTH, Slut Phase 101, and Ruminations combine darkness and light in a brilliantly unique and abstract way. Can you tell us more about what inspired you to create these pieces?

These pieces come from my personal experiences. Ruminations came first and was a confession of what was running through my head, in an effort to be as truthful as possible. I witness a society where there are so many lies, and I am an actor in it. Empty gestures and formalities to save face, "let's catch up sometime" with no intention of following through. Omission of information, blaming, sugarcoating so egos dont get damaged. Saying yes instead of no. So Ruminations is an "exercise" in truth-telling—get it onto canvas and set aside the ego. 

Next came Slut Phase 101, which has the same vein of truth-telling, and the topic is self-explanatory. Moon phases combined with "slut" antics and a touch of infographic flair.

REBIRTH are stream-of-conscious paintings where I used circles in a field of purple. Each circle is a pocket of my subconscious that was coming out onto the paper. I used my fingers to paint some of the circles, so there is a visceral, meditative quality to it. 

I don't plan any of my paintings, they are created by the unique context of each moment. 

Q: Who or what inspires you and influences your work the most?

I am inspired by the New York Arts scene of the 1980s, painters like Harring and Basquiat. The whole climate of art was very different back then, there was a spirit of improvisation and freedom that elevated painting to another level. These artists were ahead of their time. I am also inspired by fashion—particularly Comme Des Garcons and Rei Kawakubo. 

Q: What do you love most about creating art, and what has your experience been with being an artist in New York City?

Art is taking pain and suffering and transmuting it into creation. It is powerful. I don't seek to make work that is easily understood. I want to access deeper parts of our unconscious and discover more about our human condition— what drives us and how we are conditioned in our behavior and mind. It can be confusing, aggressive, disgusting, spiritual, etc. There is nothing off limits and only more to discover. New York City is an amazing place to be for an artist, there is an energy left by the immigrants who built the city and of the great artists who lived here in the past. 

Q: How has your artwork evolved throughout the years and has your creative process expanded/developed in any way?

I am always experimenting. I don’t plan paintings so my art is a honest reflection of what is happening in the moment— often it is introspective. I don’t constrain myself to a single style or technique, they are all on the table as far as I’m concerned. What has not changed throughout the years is my ongoing mission to be more expressive and less constrained in my creative process, and to question the status quo.

Q: Is there anything specific you hope your audiences take away from your painting and books? 

My paintings are for sale, so reach out to me if interested. Books can be purchased on my website. 

Q: What have been some of your proudest accomplishments and greatest challenges, both in your career and otherwise, thus far?

Being an artist is the challenge and accomplishment. Making the decision that this is your path and you don’t have a plan B.

Q: Can you tell us about any projects you're currently working on, or any visions you have for the future?

I just finished “Canvas Abuse and Therapy,” a series of paintings with cryptic text on a white field, as well as an all black series, where I only use black paint and play with subtle variation. Next I am creating a series of bigger paintings. 

You can see Xiaoyin Xie’s new work on her website, xiaoyinxie.com.