Cui Jie

Exploring an unremitting analysis of the architectural landscapes which has bared a large influence on her life so far, Cui Jie’s paintings depict the three cities of Shanghai, Hangzhou, and Beijing, all of which attain significant meanings to the artist that therefore inspire her urban images. She was born and raised in Shanghai, attended the National Art Academy in Hangzhou, and to date, lives and hones her craft in Beijing. Recognizing first-hand the astonishing transformation and urbanization that the Chinese cities reflect, along with their considerably changing cityscapes, Cui Jie’s artisanal attention is drawn to the multiplying number of buildings, high-rises and plazas that continue to amass throughout the capitals.

With these urban architectural creations being depicted, Jie personalizes them through her individual and distinct perspective, where from her own gaze, the varying cities that inhabit the sculptural subjects are identified as superimposed in the backgrounds. Throughout the Chinese artist’s paintings, clever lighting is applied to enable the images surface to appear as though the sculpture becomes part of the architecture and vice versa. Jie’s voluminous sculptures are embedded in undistinguished buildings that are discovered in suburban areas and on street corners and city avenues, the results translating into conceptual and contemporary masterpieces.