Artist Talk at Chelsea College of Art

Artist’s Talk : Xie Rong : Tuesday 28th Nov : 1pm : Lecture Theatre
Xie Rong
Tuesday 28th November
1pm Lecture Theatre
It’s with great pleasure that we invite Xie Rong to deliver our final Artist’s Talk of the term this Tuesday lunchtime.
Xie Rong, also known as Echo Morgan, fearlessly challenges stereotypes surrounding “Chineseness” and femininity through her provocative art. She uses her body as a canvas, employing materials such as Chinese ink, red lipstick, coal, chlorophyll, and even her own breast milk to create expressive action paintings and emotionally stirring portraits. Drawing inspiration from personal experiences and broader themes like the body politic and eco-feminism, Xie Rong skillfully combines Eastern philosophy, the Fluxus movement, and action art to encourage introspection and foster meaningful dialogue.
Xie Rong’s artwork seamlessly integrates English narration with Chinese folk songs, challenging prevailing notions of beauty, power, and vulnerability. She honed her artistic skills at the Sichuan Fine Arts Institute High School, Central Saint Martins, and the Royal College of Art. Her visually enchanting creations have garnered international acclaim, with exhibitions held in various countries. Collaborating with photographer Jamie Baker, Xie Rong explores the fusion of painting on photographs and employs mark-making techniques, resulting in unique artist prints. She also creates intimate and emotionally challenging personal films. Recently, Xie Rong has expanded her creative collaborations to include musicians and movement artists, delving into the realm of immersive site-specific storytelling experiences. Blurring the boundaries between theatre and action art, she practices art as the healing power within our community.
Xie has earned numerous accolades, such as the Aesthetica Art Prize in 2014, the 40 Under 40 Perspective Art Award in 2017, the Chinese Arts Now Scratch Award in 2019, and was shortlisted for the Mother Art Prize in 2022. As a lecturer and researcher, she has presented her work at many UK and Chinese universities. She is an associated lecturer at the Chelsea College of Art, Royal College of Art, Central St Martin, and Glasgow School of Art.
Xie Rong is based in both the UK and China. Her dedication to pushing boundaries and defying conventions is evident in her work, which continually pushes the limits and invites viewers to engage with thought-provoking narratives through the embodiment of body, gesture, and voice.