Publisher: Su Xiaobai Foundation
ISBN: 978-1-63681-230-4
To celebrate Su Xiaobai’s solo exhibition, Su Xiaobai’s Alchemical Universe, presented as an official Collateral Event of the 61st International Art Exhibition – La Biennale di Venezia, the artist’s latest and most comprehensive publication is now available at 20% off through November 22, 2026
Tracing the evolution of Su Xiaobai’s practice, the publication explores how the artist has transformed lacquer into a contemporary artistic language, revealing his distinctive and innovative approach to this centuries-old medium.
Promotion Period: Now through November 22, 2026
Special Price: NT$1,600 per copy (Original Price: NT$2,000)
【Book Introduction】
Published in collaboration with the Su Xiaobai Foundation and the Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA), this book offers the most in-depth presentation to date of the world-renowned artist’s lacquer paintings, including detailed insights into his distinctive techniques and approach to this challenging medium.
Chinese painter Su Xiaobai (born 1949) transforms the ancient medium of lacquer into a radiant, sculptural language. Trained in both Beijing and Düsseldorf, he bridges Chinese literati traditions and postwar European painting. Working with local artisans and salvaged burlap, bamboo mats and ceramic tiles from demolished Qing houses, Su combines hand-ground pigments, mineral powders and shell dust into his “soup.” Layered up to 20 times on engineered wood supports, his lacquer surfaces crack, sink and rise as each stratum dries at its own rhythm, exposing hidden chromatic and tactile depths.
This volume presents two decades worth of Xiaobai’s paintings as well as two essays, a biography and an interview with the artist by curator Stephen Little. It traces his development as a master of lacquer—from his liberating break with oil paint in 2003 through to the present day.
Foreword | Michael Govan
The Lacquer Paintings of Su Xiaobai | Stephen Little
For Xiaobai | Kulapat Yantrasast
Interview with Su Xiaobai | Stephen Little
Let's Now Step Into the Alchenical Scene
Preparation for the Exhibition in Palazzo Soranzo von Axel
A Brief Biograohy
