Xiaoying Gan

Artist Biography Gan Xiao ying, a self-taught artist with a profound blend of sociological wisdom and artistic creation. Holding a Ph.D. in Sociology, her artistry is imbued with deep insights into social structures, human behaviors, and cultural phenomena. Xiaoying employs her academic background in her paintings to examine the complex interplay between the individual and society, presenting and discussing social issues through her artworks. As an artistic journeyer, Xiaoying treads her own path without formal art education, finding her unique perspective and voice through continuous self-practice and experimentation. Her works often reveal an unconventional interpretation of everyday scenes, turning seemingly mundane images into symbols charged with layered social significance. As a new and interdisciplinary artist, her works were featured in the 2024 Los Angeles Art Show and the 2024 "Touch" the Warmth of Life group art exhibition in Shanghai, China.

“I grew up in a small county in Northwestern China, where I developed a fondness for observing the happenings around me. Through the processes of migration, adaptation, return, and escape, I have been captivated by the subtle interplay of cultural symbols, the unspoken norms guiding our interactions, and how these collective understandings shape our inner worlds. Through my brush and observations, I strive to embody my care for the individual and society. My creations are an exploration of the complex intertwining of individual experiences within societal structures, with each piece reflecting on the intricacies of connection—how we relate to ourselves, others, and the environments we inhabit. A passion for color and a compassion for human suffering have become the endless wellsprings of my creation.”

Weak Fish

Canvas oil painting

11.81" x 15.74" x 1.38"

$1,000.00

2024

This oil painting captures the flow of emotions and the depths of the subconscious. In this scene, a colossal fish symbolizes the dreamer's emotional experience, with its massive body gently dissolving at the bottom of the canvas, much like the remnants of a dream fading upon awakening.