Story perspectives

Qiu's Debut Exhibition Explores Memory and Trauma

3/12/2026

Summary

Story summary

Qiu's debut exhibition at Hauser & Wirth in New York, 'The Theater of Wither and Thrive,' presents memory and trauma through vivid paintings.
The works are inspired by family photographs and Qiu's hometown of Harbin, reflecting the psychological impacts of China's rapid modernization.
The canvases use layered imagery and a vertical composition to convey a cyclical sense of time while aligning with Chinese and Western traditions, inviting deeper viewer engagement.

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Story summary

Qiu's debut exhibition at Hauser & Wirth in New York, 'The Theater of Wither and Thrive,' presents memory and trauma through vivid paintings.
The works are inspired by family photographs and Qiu's hometown of Harbin, reflecting the psychological impacts of China's rapid modernization.
The canvases use layered imagery and a vertical composition to convey a cyclical sense of time while aligning with Chinese and Western traditions, inviting deeper viewer engagement.