Xu Jin, an influential figure in the Chinese art world, was born in 1958 in Huangyan, Zhejiang province.

Even at the young age of 14, his remarkable talent in painting was recognized when he was specifically recruited into the Third Industrial Corps of the Zhejiang Production and Construction Corps, based in Linping, near Hangzhou City. Xu’s passion for art continued to blossom, and in 1977, when the College Entrance Exams were reinstated in China, he secured a place at the prestigious China Academy of Fine Arts (formerly the Zhejiang Academy of Fine Arts), where he chose to specialize in oil painting.

Upon graduation, Xu worked at the Hangzhou Institute of Industrial Arts, the School of Industrial Arts, and the Zhejiang Fine Arts Press. However, his desire to continue developing his art led him back to his alma mater in 1985, where he assumed the role of a teacher in the Oil Painting Department. Xu began his tenure as an assistant professor, later working alongside the accomplished artist Maryn Varbanov as an assistant at the Varbanov Tapestry Studio. During this period, Xu was instrumental in co-founding the influential ” ’85 New Space” group, a pivotal movement within the broader ” ’85 New Wave” movement that marked a turning point in the development of contemporary Chinese art.

In recognition of his outstanding artistic contributions, Xu was awarded the coveted “Artistic Dialogues Award” by the Association of Artistic Dialogues in France in 1987, along with several prestigious national awards. Xu’s talent and vision caught the attention of the international art community, culminating in an exhibition in the United States in 1989. Following the successful exhibition, Xu decided to settle in New York City, a decision that marked a new chapter in his artistic journey.

In 2012, Xu was appointed as a professor at the College of Arts and Design at Nanchang University. Today, Xu continues to channel his creative energies into his work, maintaining studios in both New York and Hangzhou. He continues to hold exhibitions, showcasing the depth of his artistic talent and leaving an indelible mark on the world of contemporary art.