Xiao daCunha
Xiao Faria daCunha was born and raised in China. She came to the United States to chase her dream for art. She is currently based out of Kansas City, MO. Through her seven years in the States, she navigated through the ups and downs of life as someone with a multicultural background. The challenges she faced as a woman, an immigrant and a young artist channeled back into her creation, allowing her to progress in her artist career. Her paintings interpret the universal subjects of love, peace, and the challenges in life through a philosophical lens and have been exhibited nationally and internationally.
Artist: Xiao daCunha
Based in USA
Instagram: @xiaochineseart
Website: www.xiaochineseart.com
Culturally features:
"Head and Sentiment: Dreams of an Artist", May 29-July 30 2021, Milostka Center for Exhibitions
What do you aim to say by the themes in your work?
My art explores the human soul and our relationships with ourselves, others, and the universe around us. The themes touch the uncomfortable topics that we as a species are still learning to discuss: trauma, insecurities, the shadow self, and mental health. The first step to healing is always acknowledgment, whether it's acknowledging the damage done to us or our accountabilities throughout the course. I'd like my art to serve as the path to acknowledgment.
Where does your inspiration come from?
I'm deeply inspired by Asian mythologies, folklores, and classic literature. I'm heavily influenced by Buddhism and Taoism philosophies. That aside, my inspirations come from all aspects of life. Sometimes because of a conversation I had with a mentor, other times a good sentence someone shared with me that resonated. Music is also a huge inspiration for me as it helps me to be more present with my emotions and thus see through the surface to discover the essence behind my own thoughts and feelings.
How would you describe your creative process?
I'd like to believe it's a good balance of intuition and strategy (although in reality, probably it's 80% chaos and 20% of some sort of systematic approach). Concept development is what usually takes me the longest as each painting of mine tells an emotional story, whether personal or universal. To find the right symbolism and motifs to incorporate in each piece takes a lot of planning and research. But once the composition sketch stage is completed, my work goes from planned intricacy to fluid creativity. My mentor always said "we should paint like a child" as in we should draw accurately but paint loosely and allow things to happen, and I cannot agree with him more. So I think my process begins with planning and weaving, like a mature artisan creating a piece, but gradually I return to the childish state of mind and start to have fun, and let my art lead the way.
What is integral to your work as an artist?
Authenticity. Pirandello wrote in his iconic play Six Characters that the creative is nothing but the medium to the arts around him. As artists, we're the chosen medium for this universe to reveal true inspirations, and we should feel honored to be able to do so. And that's why authenticity is so vital for my practice. I cannot lie, alter, or moderate my thoughts and opinions when I'm painting. Everything you see is the reflection of my genuine emotion the universe allows me to experience surrounding the theme.
Do you have any experiences that have impacted your art?
Far too many. I came from a codependent family structure where individual values are ripped away. For a long time, I could not value myself in the slightest way, which lead me into a long, painful, toxic and abusive relationship. It took me years to understand the state I was in was unhealthy and I, too, was codependent. It also took me years to learn how to talk to people, how not to "put on a show" or "fake it till make it," how to show my vulnerability to others, which altogether brought me out of that dangerous relationship and finally started the healing journey. The most impactful thing to my art is not necessarily an experience, but a special person whom I will always have endless respect and gratitude for. He is my mentor for art and for life, and has taught me almost everything I know today about compassion, kindness, and how to make peace with life, on top of all the painting skills he has taught me.
What advice do you have for aspiring artists?
Take time with your art. I know. Speed painting is cool. Your Instagram audience wants to see 3 live streams 2 time-lapses and 5 additional posts every week. Today's artists face a lot of stress that urge us to make something, keep moving, create results... However, I don't think that's what artists are about. We need time to let art flow through us, let our experience and growth settle in, let our brain process the information that entered our unconsciousness, until we can consciously bring them out onto the paper or canvas or whatever form you choose. And all of that requires patience. A LOT of patience. Do I work rushed sometimes? Of course I do, especially if it's a live painting gig, or something more on the PR/Marketing side. I used to have speed projects set aside to maintain my social media presence but finally stopped doing that this year because I'm starting to realize what matters the most to me is the quality of my art, and that quality could only come from allowing time for it to develop, and investing time to carve the images out.
