Recently, in the charming village of Longwu, Hangzhou, Chinese artist Chen Xiao held a poignant exhibition entitled “A Thousand Beams of Sunlight: Listening to Chen Xiao Speak About the Lotus and Caring for Children.” As the president of the New Zealand Hangzhou Friendship Association, he shared his vision of using “China’s Beautiful Colors” to bring warmth to children with autism. “Art has no barriers; it allows every star to shine a bit brighter,” he emphasized during an interview.
Born in Zhejiang, Chen Xiao pursued his education in Australia in 1986 before moving to New Zealand, where he graduated from the University of Auckland’s School of Fine Arts with a master’s degree in visual arts. Throughout his overseas journey, he traveled to over 80 countries and regions, giving lectures at numerous prestigious art institutions and holding more than 70 solo exhibitions worldwide. His works and catalogues have been published and introduced in Western countries.
Despite achieving success abroad, Chen has remained committed to his roots. In October 2018, he turned down invitations from several renowned universities to return to his hometown, becoming the director of the Chen Xiao Institute of Art and Design at Zhejiang Agriculture and Forestry University. His goal is to spread “joyful living aesthetics” through “China’s Beautiful Colors.”
“Art is not just a visual experience; it also has a healing power for the mind. Colors serve not only as an expression in painting but also as a bridge for healing souls,” Chen remarked. He believes artists should take on the responsibility of using their work to empower society. This philosophy has driven him to engage actively in public art projects and initiatives focused on the arts for individuals with disabilities, making art more accessible and positive.
Children with autism, often referred to as “star children,” inspire Chen to think profoundly about how to connect with them through color. He inquires how to resonate with these children, transforming the perceived coldness of the stars into brilliant sparks of light.
During his artistic journey, Chen found like-minded partners in the Hangzhou Disabled Persons’ Welfare Foundation and the Xiaoxiao Life Health Foundation. “Our shared vision brought us together to organize this exhibition, focused on caring for autistic children,” he said.
Driven by the dream of creating a healing oasis for children with autism, Zhong Xiaoxiao, chairperson of the Hangzhou Disabled Persons’ Welfare Foundation and founder of the Xiaoxiao Foundation, is developing a facility that combines art and nature therapy. This space aims to provide a therapeutic environment for these special children and create a relaxing atmosphere for their families.
In this exhibition, Chen Xiao’s vibrant artwork serves as a key to healing the spirits of children with autism. His use of bright colors and deep emotions resonates deeply with them, as criticized by Zhong, who acknowledges that Chen’s style opens a window into the internal worlds of these children, allowing their emotions to be expressed and understood.
Through representations of lotus leaves and flowers, Chen aims to convey natural harmony and warmth, encouraging emotional resonance and creativity in the children. Enjoying these artworks has reportedly improved their attention spans and helped them reconnect with the outside world.
The exhibition also featured creations from children at the Wandi Children’s Welfare Institute in Lishui City, showcasing the collective spirit and support that color brings to the journeys of children with autism.
Essentially, Chen’s vibrant color palette reflects the joyous disposition of children, a style honed during his 35 years of artistic exploration in New Zealand. In contrast to the often subdued styles of many Chinese artists, his bold compositions and unique themes celebrate the exuberance of life.
Chen humorously describes his “lively and colorful” style as particularly appealing to children. “Especially for those with autism, there’s no preachy tone—just a warm, friendly expression of a vibrant world,” he explained.
Looking ahead, he hopes to continue painting more “sunlight,” aspiring to uplift these children and ensure they no longer feel alone. “The power of art will help them integrate into this loving world,” he concluded.
