Foreword

"Ming Ling," by Chinese definition, means inconstant, mercurial, capricious, headstrong, volatile and unpredictable.

Kim Xu creates a model Shanghai glamour girl of Ming Ling decadence. She is provocative, an über-chic goddess cast in a vivid, geometric fantasy-scape. These are his Shanghai women.

Kim's paintings are fine, delicate renderings of sophistication and precision. He paints a world in which poised sirens glide through visually stunning tableaux in errant splendor, traveling unfazed past the gazes of others…Are they poisonous or fabulous?

About the Artist

Kim Xu was born and raised in Suzhou, China and moved to Shanghai to pursue his passion for art and fashion at the age of nineteen.

Kim's art very much reflects his personality and life experiences, fusing both traditional Chinese watercolor techniques – an art form he learned from his grandfather - and Western-style oil-based techniques. This combination of East and West creates truly unique pieces that speak of beauty, passion, love and despair. He is regularly praised as one of China's most important artists.

Kim's work has been the focus of a number of high profile events and editorials, capturing the particular attention of the fashion world. In 2007, Kim was commissioned by Vogue magazine to do a special edition feature named "Fashion Meets Art". In 2008, Kim was also asked to form a collaboration with Hong Kong luxury brand Joyce to celebrate the first anniversary of their operation in mainland China.

Later that year, Kim was also invited to contribute to London fashion publication Wound, for which he produced a series of works inspired by the designs of Alexander McQueen, Fendi, Dolce & Gabbana and Peter Pilotto.