Hu Zeqian, born in 1994, and now resides in Washington, U.S., is a rising star for his distinct aesthetic style. His works explore the emotions between past and present, illusion and reality, individual and collective, delving into the complex interplay between emotions and images. Hu draws inspiration mainly from historical landscapes, museum collections, magazines, vintage photographs, and handicrafts. Through his exquisite layering techniques, he reassembles these forgotten fragments of memory, weaving a new narrative that transcends time and reality
In the research phase of his creation, Hu uses digital means to optimise his sketches. However, during the painting process, the artist abandons all spray paint or digital interventions, adopting a prolonged and traditional layering method, achieving perfect colour gradients and paper-cut sharp lines solely through manual painting, reaching a precision almost akin to digital effects. By skilfully layering the visuals, Hu blends various elements into a narrative, crafting a simple yet powerful visual language through precise control of colour and form