Su Xinping : Toasting exhibition is held in ChinaSquare in September.

Su Xinping possesses a tireless commitment to culture and craft, an impassioned approach obvious in his work. Raised in the far-flung grasslands region of Inner Mongolia, the artist grew up in a nomadic culture known for its respect towards nature and community. Throughout his career, Su has aimed to produce a visual catalogue of his experiences. His early work portrayed common life in Inner Mongolia; later, like many of his contemporaries, he became engrossed in investigating the pressures on individuals in a society undergoing rapid economic development. What makes Su Xinping and his art extraordinary, however, is the artist’s dedication to progressing his art forms. In an era where impatience for financial gain often triumphs over the patience required for disciplined study, Su is an outspoken advocate of personal growth and achievement. The mastery of both technique and self-reflection has resulted in wide critical acclaim for work collected by the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art and Portland Art Museum as well as institutions in England, Australia, Japan, Germany, Finland, and his native China.

Toasting suggests a sense of hopefulness as scenes of shirtless men drinking, singing, and cheering in playful camaraderie dominate the over-sized canvases. Art critic Judd Tully notes,“Toasting is a universal custom, usually aimed at good health and fortune, an almost clichéd notion of lifting a glass as an expression of optimism and good-natured nod to the future.”