LONDON.- Qi Shunshun, born in China, 1998, is an artist whose work navigates the delicate balance between solitude and the warmth of everyday life. A graduate of the Central Academy of Fine Arts (CAFA) and the Royal College of Art, Qi’s paintings examine the tension between individuals and their environments, leading viewers to reflect on their own inner worlds.



Themes of Solitude and Ambiguity

Qi’s work often revolves around the interplay of solitude and ambiguity. Her paintings particularly focus on the human relationship with the tranquil environments. Bathroom, toilets, bedrooms are recurring places which Qi's paintings take place. These spaces allow her to explore the blurred boundaries between public and private, a theme that resonates deeply in her art. Her work vividly captures the tension between being alone yet surrounded by others.



The Role of Cropping and Zooming in on Intimate Spaces

One of the most striking features of Qi Shunshun’s artistic technique is her use of cropping and zooming in to draw the viewer’s attention to intimate details of her subjects' lives. In her works, the viewer is often brought close to seemingly mundane objects—a bathtub, a cup of coffee, a piece of furniture—but these items are presented with such care and detail that they evoke a deeper emotional response. By zooming in, Qi isolates moments that might otherwise go unnoticed, magnifying their emotional weight and inviting the viewer to engage in a more personal interaction with the scene.



This technique also highlights the tension between the individual and their surroundings, a recurring theme in Qi’s paintings. Her figures, often placed in confined spaces, seem detached from the world around them, creating a visual language that speaks to the isolation of modern life.

Color as a Psychological Lens

Qi Shunshun’s use of color plays a pivotal role in creating mood and atmosphere in her paintings. She is particularly adept at using intense hues—especially red—to convey psychological tension. In her piece I Heard That you want to step on me, for example, the dominant red hue becomes a contrast color to the green background, creating a sense of tension. The use of purple and yellow which is also a common combination of contrast color is also often seen in her work. The purple water and the yellow body give the viewer a unsettling, almost alien view. Through this color contrast, Qi explores the underlying anxieties of her subjects, using the vibrant color not as a symbol of passion, but as a representation of unresolved inner conflict.



Photography and Composition: A Narrative Approach

The composition of Qi’s paintings often mirrors the framing of a photograph, where every detail, every angle, and every crop is carefully considered to tell a story. Her approach is not unlike that of a photographer, capturing moments frozen in time. This attention to framing allows her to zoom in on quiet, introspective moments, where the viewer is led to contemplate the inner lives of the figures in her paintings.

In many ways, Qi’s work echoes the urban solitude seen in the works of Philip Lorca Dicorcia and Gregory Crewdson. Comparing to their work, Qi’s figures seem more introspective, absorbed in the small, intimate spaces of everyday life. Through her unique framing, Qi invites us into these spaces, making us both participants and observers of her subjects' solitude.



A Post-Pandemic Reflection

In Qi Shunshun’s own words, her work seeks to explore "the many ways in which intimacy can be expressed in contemporary painting in the post-pandemic era." Her recurring use of water and the body—particularly in bathing settings—reflects an ongoing dialogue between the self and the outside world. Water, in Qi’s work, symbolizes both vulnerability and a return to the natural state, allowing her to lead viewers into spaces where the boundaries between public and private blur.

As the world emerges from the isolation of the pandemic, Qi’s art feels particularly resonant. Her exploration of intimate, solitary moments within public spaces speaks to the collective experience of recent years, where private lives have become intertwined with public spaces in unprecedented ways.

A Rising Star in the Art World

Qi Shunshun’s works have been showcased in a range of international exhibitions, from solo shows in China and Japan to group shows across London. Her growing presence in the art world reflects the universal appeal of her themes—solitude, ambiguity, and the subtle warmth of everyday life.

For those who seek to understand the quiet complexities of human relationships, Qi Shunshun’s paintings offer a window into a world where the most mundane objects and moments reveal deeper truths about the self and society. Through her careful use of color, composition, and framing, Qi continues to push the boundaries of contemporary painting, making her a voice to watch in the years to come.