EY Asean Art Outreach

Presented by Wu Xueli

Rhapsody of colors

Fishes (detail)full image on page 22

About Wu Xueli

Born in Beijing, Wu Xueli migrated to Singapore in 1991 and holds a bachelor’s degree as well as master’s degree in the art of oil painting from RMIT, Australia and LaSalle-SIA College of Arts, Singapore, respectively. From 1985 to 1987, Xueli was teaching at the Central Art and Craft Academy in Beijing, currently known as the Art Academy of Qing Hua University. Soon after her teaching assignment, she became a full time artist in oil painting. Xueli’s traditional values allow her creations to take gentle and soothing forms. Yet her passion and concerns about the modern and dynamic world gave her a deft hand in creating deep and strong textures captured in her works. It is through this intertwining of traditional and modern strokes that one can see in her paintings a rhythm of musical poetry.

“In art, we say that space is a process through time — with layers and layers of thought. When I paint, I do not think of what I am about to paint; but follow the tone and rhythm of color and gradually a form appears. This abstract style of painting is thus full of challenges and surprises for me, something which I enjoy.”

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Foreword

Max Loh 3

Introduction to the exhibition 5

About the artist and her works 6

Artworks 9

Index of artworks 31

Biography 32

The write-ups on the artist expressed in this catalog are that of the writer’s own views and do not necessarily reflect the views of members of the global EY organization. Published in conjunction with the exhibition: Rhapsody of colors.

Designed and produced by:Ernst & Young Solutions LLPOne Raffles Quay, North Tower, Level 18, Singapore 048583Phone: +65 6535 7777 Fax: +65 6532 7662

Orchestra (detail)full image on page 15

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We are pleased to present the 23rd edition of EY’s Asean Art Outreach program, featuring Singapore artist, Wu Xueli. Entitled Rhapsody of colors, the exhibition displays 20 paintings which expresses Xueli’s image of Singapore’s culture through modern influences, without altering its traditional values.

Xueli has held various exhibitions in Singapore, Taiwan, Australia and Indonesia. Some of the collectors include Singapore Art Museum, China Art Museum and Li Keran Art Museum. Xueli graduated from LaSalle-SIA College of Arts in Singapore with a master’s degree in oil painting.

Launched 10 years ago as part of the firm’s corporate social responsibility program, the EY Asean Outreach program provides a platform for artistic talents in the region to display their works in our office gallery. With the aim of encouraging and supporting these young talent, it also provides an opportunity for our clients, staff and the public to appreciate the vibrant art scene here in Southeast Asia. The art exhibitions are held once every four to five months featuring different artists from the Asean region including Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore and Vietnam.

Proceeds of the sale of the works will not only help the artists, but a portion will also be set aside to benefit charitable causes. Through our established position in the business community and our efforts in this outreach program, we hope to bring art closer to our network of clients and friends, as well as connect us to business and government leaders in our communities.

Max LohManaging Partner, Asean and Singapore

Foreword, Max Loh

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Red tree (detail)full image on page 19

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The first meeting with artist Wu Xueli will always fill one with her enthusiasm and passionate expression of her works.

Xueli’s success has come a long way; partly attributed to the hardship, rigorous training, thorough and prolonged practices in the immediate aftermath of the Cultural Revolution in China from 1966 to 1976, and also due to the drastic transition and change of style from 1999 after undergoing a fine arts program at the LaSalle-SIA College of Arts in Singapore under the guidance of Milenko Prvacki and brother Joseph McNally. The former has embedded her to master the use of colors and layers of mastery of Chinese traditional and modern strokes, while the latter has reformed her mindset to paint using emotions rather than sight.

Xueli is an artist of her time. Training sessions in art were rigorous, thorough and prolonged for artists of that era. It insisted on a socialist realist style which was somewhat at odds with traditional brush painting in China. However, 10 years of propaganda could not undo 3,000 years of Chinese tradition. Xueli imbibed all the dexterity of the use of Chinese brush and at the same time, acquired a sound knowledge of Western perspective and realism.

Upon arriving in Singapore, she was fascinated by the strong sunlight and shadows. She then produced very distinctive body of works. Her paintings aspects were full of colors and textures; lighting and illusion are fully appreciated. The works reflect the ideas and feelings that inspire Xueli. Her works are very seductive and invite the viewer to use senses other than sight to experience the works. Overall, the works are powerful and have tremendous presence.

Rhapsody of colors is a continual series by Xueli featuring tropical plants, childhood memories, as well as a diversity of colors inspired by the diverse races and cultures in Singapore. We invite viewers to examine and appreciate the application of vibrant hues, vivid textures and depth layered with the mastery of Chinese traditional and modern strokes.

This art exhibition is organized by EY as part of their Asean Art Outreach program and Xueli is thrilled to be able to share her works with the business community and continuing her aspirations as a full time artist.

I hope you will enjoy Xueli’s work as much as we did in bringing the exhibition to you, at EY.

EY is very grateful to:

• Jack Yu of Goshen Art Gallery for his curatorial reviews and for introducing Wu Xueli to us.

Introduction to the exhibition— Jack Yu, Goshen Art Gallery

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Hope (detail)full image on page 16

When writing about Singapore artists, a set of labels usually precede the person. From pioneer artists, Nanyang painters, second-generation to the young and emerging artists —these neat descriptors make one wonder what lenses we should use to view all other artists who do not fall into these categories.

Wu Xueli is one such artist. Born in Beijing, the artist taught at the Central Academy of Arts and Crafts (now known as the Art Academy of Qing Hua University) from 1985 to 1987 and also exhibited at the Chinese Avant-Garde Artists Exhibition at the British Embassy in Beijing in 1985. Unlike many of her peers who sought their careers in Europe, Xueli moved to Singapore in 1991 where she married a Singaporean and raised their daughter.

Her story is similar to the Nanyang artists but not quite — being female, much younger, and pursuing an entirely different style to depict Singapore’s scenery and culture. Xueli returned to the Laselle-SIA college of Arts in Singapore following the birth of her daughter in 1999.

It was here in Singapore that her style underwent a drastic transition. From her rigorous training in painting en plein air, Xueli was taught by Milenko Prvacki and brother Joseph McNally who encouraged her to “shake out tradition from her bones and input the modern in her veins”. Forgoing the strict portrayal of subjects before her, Xueli’s abstract style emerged; swapping the brush for a palette knife, an intermediary which allows the painting to guide her.

While some speakers’ gesture as a way of adding strength to their words, Xueli’s animated gestures are expressions of her passionate personality. She enthuses over her choice of color, speaking of the inspirations gained from Singapore’s multi-ethnic society at length — colors through batik and Indian traditional costumes which she collects. An educator herself at the SIM University, Xueli’s admiration and respect for her teachers and senior artists is palpable.

About the artist and her works— Jack Yu, Goshen Art Gallery

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“I was surprised that she remembered and applied the pointers I had given her at her previous exhibition. Not many artists pay heed to other artists or even apply [the advice] in their work,” shared Choy Weng Yang, one of Singapore’s foremost abstract painter, and curator at the National Museum of Singapore from 1978 to 1984.

Now known for her arresting, dynamic and colorful abstract oil paintings, Xueli’s artworks examine the application of vibrant hues, vivid textures and depth layered with the mastery of Chinese traditional and modern strokes. Her oil paintings are visual expressions of her inner soul and representations of her fervent modernistic spirit as well as creative inspiration.

One of her works Golden dragon (painting #03) represents her deep enactment in Chinese cultural history, together with thick layering of vibrant colors and textures which narrates the hardship and tedious times that the artist went through during her younger days during post Cultural Revolution China.

Heritage tree (painting #011) and Bamboo (painting #012) allows the viewers to examine the vivid hues and color compositions used. The works are painted recently, capturing the artist’s innermost sentiment in mature mood during a few of her late-night painting sessions. The dashes of lighter tones depict new life, new hopes and refreshing future.

The Golden autumn (painting #015) is another classic example of Xueli’s inculcated traditional values that allows her to take gentle and soothing forms, yet her passion and concerns about modern and dynamic world gave her a deft hand in the creation of depth and strong textures. It is through this intertwining of traditional and modern strokes that you can see in her paintings a rhythm of musical poetry.

Since 1991, Xueli has taken part in many exhibitions in Singapore. Prior to that, many of her works had been displayed in various countries including Taiwan, Australia, and Indonesia and collected by organizations and private art connoisseurs such as Singapore Art Museum, China Art Museum and Li Keran Art Museum. Xueli holds a master’s degree in oil painting from LaSalle-SIA College of Arts in Singapore.

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Lake reflection (detail)full image on page 28

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Rhapsody of colorsArtworks by Wu Xueli

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001Lotus oil on canvas 120 x 120 cm

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002Universe oil on canvas

120 x 120 cm

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003Golden dragon oil on canvas 100 x 120 cm

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004History oil on canvas 70 x 120 cm

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005History II oil on canvas 70 x 120 cm

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006Orchestra oil on canvas

91 x 91 cm

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007Hope oil on canvas 91 x 91 cm

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008Joyful oil on canvas

91 x 91 cm

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009Galloping horse oil on canvas 61 x 92 cm

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010Red tree oil on canvas

50 x 50 cm

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011Heritage tree oil on canvas 91 x 91 cm

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012Bamboo oil on canvas

91 x 91 cm

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013Fishes oil on canvas 76 x 76 cm

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014Waves oil on canvas

61 x 91 cm

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015Golden autumn oil on canvas 61 x 91 cm

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016Blessings oil on canvas

76 x 76 cm

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017Harmony oil on canvas 76 x 76 cm

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018Spring is here oil on canvas

61 x 91 cm

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019Lake reflection oil on canvas 61 x 76 cm

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020Life oil on canvas

50 x 50 cm

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Heritage tree (detail)full image on page 20

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Index of artworks

001 Lotus oil on canvas

120 x 120 cm

002 Universe oil on canvas

120 x 120 cm

003 Golden dragon oil on canvas

100 x 120 cm

004 History oil on canvas

70 x 120 cm

005 History II oil on canvas

70 x 120 cm

006 Orchestra oil on canvas

91 x 91 cm

007 Hope oil on canvas

91 x 91 cm

008 Joyful oil on canvas

91 x 91 cm

009 Galloping horse oil on canvas

61 x 92 cm

010 Red tree oil on canvas

50 x 50 cm

011 Heritage tree oil on canvas

91 x 91 cm

012 Bamboo oil on canvas

91 x 91 cm

013 Fishes oil on canvas

76 x 76 cm

014 Waves oil on canvas

61 x 91 cm

015 Golden autumn oil on canvas

61 x 91 cm

016 Blessings oil on canvas

76 x 76 cm

017 Harmony oil on canvas

76 x 76 cm

018 Spring is here oil on canvas

61 x 91 cm

019 Lake reflection oil on canvas

61 x 76 cm

020 Life oil on canvas

50 x 50 cm

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Universe (detail)full image on page 11

Wu XueliBorn in Beijing, China and migrated to Singapore in 1991. Wu Xueli works in Beijing YongHe Art Studio and Wu Xueli Art Studio in Singapore. She is also a lecturer at the Singapore Institute of Management University. From 1985 to 1987, she taught at the Central Academy of Arts and Crafts. In 1984, Xueli graduated from the Department of Linguistics Arts of International Politics Institute in Beijing, then subsequently attained her bachelor’s and master’s degree in Fine Art from the Royal Melbourne Institute of Australia.

Exhibitions1985 Chinese Avant-Garde Artists at British Embassy, Beijing

1994 United Overseas Bank Painting of the Year Art Show, Singapore

2000 ASEAN Art Awards Exhibition, Singapore and Indonesia

2001 Infinity: 8th RMIT Arts Exhibition Melbourne, Australia

2003 The 1st Beijing International Art Biennale, China Museum

2005 The 2nd Beijing International Art Biennale, China Museum

2007 The 3rd Beijing International Art Biennale, Beijing Shi Ji Tan

2009 Singapore Black Earth Art Museum, Singapore

2010 Beijing Art Space, Beijing

2011 DaTang Fine Arts, Singapore Tina Keng Gallery, Taiwan

2012 artcommune gallery, Singapore

2013 Museum of Contemporary Arts, Singapore

2014 artcommune gallery, Singapore

2015 Lion City Art Gallery, Singapore The broken rhymes, 1st solo art show, Lokanat Galleries, Yangon

2016 Goshen Art Gallery, Singapore

2017 EY Asean Art Outreach, Singapore

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