Biography
Hong Kong-based artist Xeme is best known for incorporating Chinese calligraphy and patterns into his graffiti art. Considered to be a pioneer of graffiti in the region, the artist has been successfully working for more than two decades. As one of the first to try out such a new medium, with nobody else to compare to, he always forced himself to be innovative and to push the boundaries. Even though he is comfortable experimenting with different styles, he always aims to work outside conservative rules by combining contemporary and traditional art.
Stan Xeme became interested in graffiti in the late 1990s when he came across the legendary book by Henry Chalfant. Before that, he was doing what all kids did, go to high school and mess around. However, this book opens his eyes to the wonders of graffiti, and even today, he credits it as one of the major influences. By 2001 he was fully committed to leaving his mark on the street of Hong Kong. At the time, there were few like him, and the medium was almost unknown in the city. Deeply fascinated with Chinese letters and calligraphy, he incorporated them into his artistic expression, unlike his contemporaries, who all embraced western lettering because they found Chinese extremely difficult to use. Xeme does not prepare in advance the word or phrase he will write. Instead, the process is spontaneous, and he will draw what comes to his mind at the moment.
Throughout his career, Xeme has constantly experimented with different styles. Today he prefers the combination of geometrical shapes and patterns with Chinese calligraphy. Also, he began working with new mediums such as ink painting and sculpting. His work has earned him a massive following in Asia, and he has traveled the world working in numerous cities. Always open to collaboration, he enjoys discovering what his contemporaries are doing and what is new in the art world. Thus he founded the magazine Invasian which covers all of Asia and features artists from all over the world. However, Xeme is skeptical towards collaborations with big companies that make the art commercial. The artist said:
In 2021 the artist had a duo exhibition entitled at Lucie Chang Fine Art in Hong Kong. In honor of the Chinese new year in 2022, Xeme created a collectible figure of Popeye with a tiger tattoo on his arm. In 2013 he collaborated with Demsky Felipe Pantone on a group show entitled at Badmotel in Bangkok.
Xeme lives and works in Hong Kong.
Nationality