Xia Liu (b. 2001) is an MFA student in Electronic Integrated Media Arts at Alfred University, New York.
I was born in a small coastal town near the Bohai Sea in eastern China, an area with a heavy industrial presence that often affects the air quality. This environment shapes much of my work, driving my exploration of environmental issues and the complex resonances they evoke. My mother was an elementary school teacher in a rural area, and I grew up accompanying her to school, which meant frequent moves and a chance to immerse myself in different landscapes. Attending rural schools provided a closeness to nature that deepened my respect and commitment to protecting it, sparking a lifelong curiosity about diverse forms of learning and observation. This transitory childhood instilled in me a sense of wanderlust, and art became my way to connect with the past and give voice to these formative experiences.
In my early years, I watched my hometown rapidly transform into an urban village, its original houses replaced by deteriorating high-rises. This changing landscape left a lasting impact, as I saw familiar spaces disappear, replaced by decay. Art allows me to capture this transformation, re-examining and reimagining the dimension of time and space through images. Many of my works reflect this connection, using creativity as a means to confront solitude and amplify the themes in my art. In 8 Hours and 21 Minutes, for example, I performed a poetic piece where I unraveled an old childhood sweater, thread by thread. The sweater’s slow disappearance represented the fading of my own childhood memories, an act that may seem absurd yet delivers a profound visual impact. Here, the process is more significant than the end result, underscoring that while something may seem meaningless, it still holds purpose. Through my work, I seek to uncover art’s meaning in a chaotic world and the intangible essence of childhood wonder.
My recent project, Red Balloons, continues to explore time and space. The work employs everyday objects—a treadmill, hair dryer, toilet, and river—as carriers, embodying the idea of change as an eternal constant. This theme of transformation and impermanence has deep roots in my work, which is influenced by artists like Francis Alÿs and Marina Abramović. Their ability to create profound effects with small-scale gestures has always captivated me, and my own practice draws from their blend of seriousness, romance, and subtle absurdity. Rather than merely critique, I aim to foster dialogue through tangible actions. My work often revisits social issues from unique perspectives, touching on themes of history, consumerism, and migration. Each piece begins with a question, inviting an organic dialogue that unfolds between me and the canvas—a conversation that brings me closer to understanding.
Although still developing my interdisciplinary skills, I am dedicated to merging traditional and innovative technologies through Alfred University’s Electronic Integrated Arts program. Here, I integrate theory with practice, pushing boundaries by combining ceramics with video and sound to create art that transcends single disciplines. This journey allows me to reflect on my past, to unearth the beauty in discarded histories, and to connect with a broader audience through perceptual leaps that bridge time and space.