Xiaoran Fan

About

Xiaoran is a sculptor from Chengdu who expands his artistic vision at the Royal College of Art in the UK. His practice melds the ancient traditions of the East with the modern dynamics of the West, fostering a multifaceted perspective.

Xiaoran’s work critically engages with contemporary issues surrounding human interaction with the environment, particularly focusing on the sharp contradictions between humanity and nature, which are becoming increasingly evident amid global ecological crises. Adopting a post-humanist perspective, Xiaoran seeks to transcend the traditional boundaries of sculpture, exploring a multi-dimensional symbiosis between the human and non-human realms. This approach not only challenges the viewer’s perception of art and life but also prompts a reconsideration of our role within the broader ecological network. Influenced by occult alchemy and post-human theory, Xiaoran’s art combines natural materials such as ores, plants, and metals with animal-derived elements like bones and teeth. By blurring the distinctions between these materials, Xiaoran places them in an ambiguous state between the living and the non-living, inviting viewers to reflect on the interconnectedness of all life forms.

The essence of Xiaoran’s sculptures lies in their ability to embody the transformational processes of alchemy and analytical psychology, a reflection of his fascination with Carl Jung’s exploration of the psyche and material transformation. Through the integration of organic and inorganic materials, his work facilitates a dialogue between internal consciousness and external realities, striving to unearth the latent spiritual and physical connections that bind us to the earth and to each other.

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