Xu Guodong
born 1956, in Shanghai, China
Xu Guodong’s contemplative sculptures continue the centuries-old connoisseurship of scholar’s rocks. Beginning in the Tang Dynasty (618–907) literati scholars began collecting limestone rocks that had a pleasing, contemplative asymmetry or evoked recognizable forms found in nature. Xu sculpts not only the found rocks but also their stone stands, creating works with spirited vitality. Xu is the son of respected landscape rock sculptor Xu Zhiming, who instilled in his son the passion for scholar’s rocks.
