Exhibit Catalogue - Douglas College

Exhibit Catalogue

Xin Meng
Artist’s Biography
Xin Meng was born in China and immigrated to Toronto, Canada in March 2004 through the Outstanding
Artists immigration category. While in Toronto, the Meng family welcomed a son, Ian. During this time, Xin
continued his artistic endeavours, becoming a member of the Sculptors Society of Canada (SSC) and exhibiting
works in many galleries throughout Ontario.
Between 2008-2009, Meng travelled extensively for research purposes, travelling to Europe, Asia, Canada and
the United States. Upon his return to Vancouver in 2010, Meng began working on a new project titled “Puzzled”
which “Perplexity” draws largely from.
Artist’s Statement
This exhibit is a part of my recent work entitled “Perplexity”. It is a combination of 100 sculpted heads through
which I express my observations and thoughts about our human nature. When you see these faces you feel like
you already know and feel their inner world. Our inner world is actually written on our faces; we just don’t know
it. This has nothing to do with the basic appearance we inherited from our parents. Every person has his life
written on his face. Every face is like a mirror reflecting parts of our society.
I pay close attention to the groups who are marginalized by society. My emotions and my thoughts are poured
into each head that I sculpt. Those marginalized by society are real individuals. They are squeezed and crushed
constantly to the edges of society by powerful forces, profit and money.
Everywhere in our world there are groups that are marginalized. I too am marginalized in this society. Like the
homeless in Beijing, Paris, New York, Toronto, or Los Angeles. The numerous migrant workers in China, US,
Canada, Europe, we are marginalized. The difference between myself and them is that I view this world
indifferently. I ponder and reflect on the value of my life as an artist and my endeavour in it.
In my works for “Perplexity” I express a different view point from my previous works. My new expression is to
show my sculptures by arranging them in pieces of cut-up photographs. This method does not focus on the
photographs or the sculpture, though the sculpture is one important element. My focus is on how to express the
inner-self of the person with a creative impact through strong visual effects. The numbers represent natural laws
and running order of the universe.
The photographs are first cut and put together again. The gaps between each piece form a white grid, separating
the audience and the sculpture behind the grid. By increasing the distance between the audience and the art
works and offer a space for the mind to explore.
These are my original thoughts in contemplating the art work “Perplexity”, however each person will have a
different experience standing in front of the work. With all of our various backgrounds and individualities, we all
struggle with scepticism and questions, doubts and uncertainty. This is the attitude by which we face our
materialistic world; it is an attitude of “Perplexity”.

EDUCATION:
1986-1989 Central Academy of Art and Design, Beijing, China
EXHIBITIONS:
May 2010 Deer Lake Art Gallery, Vancouver (Group Show)
Jun. 2010 District Foyer Gallery , Vancouver (Group Show)
Oct. 2008 “80 & STILL GOING STRONG” at Canadian Sculpture Centre, Toronto (Group Show)
Aug. 2008 “Body Works” at Canadian Sculpture Centre, Toronto (Group Show)
Nov. 2007 “Joy “at Canadian Sculpture Centre, Toronto (Group Show)
Jul. 2007 “Concretely Complex” at Arta Gallery, Distillery, Toronto (Group Show)
Jul. 2007 “Toronto Outdoor show”, Toronto City Hall (Group Show)
May 2007 “East and West”, Canadian Sculpture Centre, Toronto (Group Show)
Jan. 2007 “Obsession”, Richmond Hill Public Library (Group Show)
Nov. 2006 “New member show”, Canadian Sculpture Centre, Toronto (Group Show)
Oct. 2006 Sculpture Bust show, Markham Varley Art Gallery, Ontario
Oct. 2005 “Art Weekend of Toronto”, Royal Ontario Museum (Group Show)
May 2004 “Arts in Progress”, Ontario Gallery of Chinese Arts, Toronto (Solo show)
Jun. 2001 “Fifth National the Sports Art Exhibition”, Province Gallery of Guang Dong, China
Sept. 1998 Chinese “Huaihua Cup” Mega games of the Environmental Sculpture, Dalian Museum, China
Jul. 1997 “Chinese Art Exhibit — Contemporary Sculpture Exhibit”, Chinese National Exhibit,
Beijing China (Group Show)
Aug. 1996 “Third Chinese Arts Expo”. Chinese National Exhibition Centre, Beijing, China (Group Show)
COLLECTIONS:
2006 “Mr. NG” bronze bust –Private (Toronto, Canada)
2000 Created 50th Anniversary monument for Shanghai Pioneer pharmaceutical Company,
(Shanghai, China).
1999 “Mr. Zhoucheng” bronze bust-Corporate, (Japan)
1996 The large-scale brass relief sculpture of Qinhuangdao International Hotel,
Hebei (Qinhuangdao, China)
1994 28-meter high stainless steel sculpture for Panyu City (Guangdong, China)
PUBLISHED IN: (Chief Books and Picture albums which include works)
2000 “Arts of Decorate Sculpture”, Beijing
1998 “SCULPTURE”, Beijing
1997 “Chinese Art Exhibit — Contemporary Sculpture Exhibit”, Beijing
1997 “’97 Chinese Sculpture”, Beijing
AWARDS:
May, 1998 China Sculpture Expo Gallery, Collection Sculpture Competition, Beijing
Dec. 1997 and 1998 Arts Talent Award of “Across the Century” Exhibit, Beijing
MEMBER:
2010- Now West Coast Clay Sculptors’ Association
2006-2010 Sculptors’ Society of Canada
1996-2004 Academic Committee of Chinese Talent Research Association
1994-2004 Professional Sculpture Committees of Chinese National Arts and Crafts Society
1994-2004 Chinese Industrial Design Association
1993-2004 Chinese Minority National Arts Promotion Committee

Xin Meng – List of Works
1-T101
Print, 2012
4’ x 4’
N.F.S
3-T023
Print, 2012
4’ x 4’
N.F.S
5-T099
Print, 2012
4’ x 4’
N.F.S
2-T105
Print, 2012
4’ x 4’
N.F.S
4-T029
Print, 2012
4’ x 4’
N.F.S
6-T089
Print, 2012
4’ x 4’
N.F.S

Xin Meng – List of Works
7-T016
Print, 2012
4’ x 4’
N.F.S
Perplexity #044
Fire Clay, 2011
Life size
N.F.S
Perplexity #015
Fire Clay, 2010
Life size
N.F.S
T118
Print, 2012
4’ x 4’
N.F.S
Perplexity #014
Fire Clay, 2010
Life size
N.F.S
Perplexity #025
Fire Clay, 2010
Life size
N.F.S

Xin Meng – List of Works
Perplexit y #006
Fire Clay, 2010
Life size
N.F.S
Nude
Fire Clay, 2010
Life size
N.F.S
Perplexity #038
Fire Clay, 2010
Life size
N.F.S

The Amelia Douglas Gallery
The Amelia Douglas Gallery features new and established BC artists and is overseen by the Art
Exhibit Committee at Douglas College. For more information on the Amelia Douglas Gallery and
to find out how to submit artwork for consideration please visit our website.
www.douglas.bc.ca/visitors/art-gallery
We’d love to hear from you!
The Amelia Douglas Gallery
700 Royal Avenue
New Westminster, BC
V3M 2Z4
Phone:604-527-5723
Email: soofin@douglascollege.ca
To purchase any works, please contact the artist directly:
Xin Meng
geemon2526@hotmail.com
Tel: 604.295.8982
Cell: 778.822.6810