Xu Bing

Xu Bing is a printmaker, but works in a wide range of media. Born in Chongqing, China and spending most of his childhood in Beijing, he moved to the countryside to work during the Cultural Revolution. After two years, he enrolled at the Central Academy of Fine Arts in Beijing where his studies focused on drawing and printmaking. After he received his Bachelor’s degree, Bing stayed at the school as an instructor, later receiving his MFA. From there, he moved to the United States, where his work has focused on written language. Bing was later appointed vice president of the Central Academy of Fine Arts in Beijing where he currently still employed. He divides his time between Beijing and New York.

Bing gained international recognition with Book from the Sky, a colossal installation composed of books and scrolls printed with what looks like traditional Chinese characters. Interestingly, all of the text was invented by the artist, making them impossible to read. He was also awarded a MacArthur Fellowship for "his originality, creativity, self-direction, and capacity to contribute importantly to society, particularly in printmaking and calligraphy."

Xu Bing was an artist in residence at Alfred University's Institute for Electronic Arts. IEA and the Burchfield Penney establised the Electronic Arts Alliance in 2013 which will present the work of Alfred students, faculty and resident artists at the Center in Buffalo.