Selena Wenen Xiao

As an artist who draws on multicultural influences, her work explores the intersection of nature, traditional culture, and contemporary art. Drawing inspiration from her observations of the world, particularly her profound experiences in natural environments, she aims to highlight the richness of diversity through artistic dialogue.

She blends traditional materials with contemporary techniques to convey layered meaning and emotional depth. Her research focuses on China’s intangible cultural heritage, investigating its connections to contemporary art. She believe art can serve as a bridge for communication, encouraging viewers to reflect on their cultural identities and personal experiences. Each piece reflects her reverence for nature and my contemplation of artistic legacy, inviting viewers to find resonance within them.

Through her work, she aims to spark thoughtful discussions about the interplay between time, nature, and culture. She aims to inspire viewers to reexamine themselves and the world around them, ultimately guiding them toward inner peace.

Education

• RMIT University, Melbourne, Australia                          
• Master of Arts (MFA)                                                                             Mar 2024 –Jul 2025
• Bachelor of Arts in Fine Arts                                                               Feb 2021 – Dec 2023
• Foundation Studies in Art, Design, and Architecture                       Feb 2019 – Nov 2019

Exhibitions

• 2025: “Convergence” exhibition at Blindside Gallery (Producer), Melbourne.
• 2024: Summer Small Works Show at Caelene Nee Glen (Awarded in the Summer Works Show & Prize 2024), Melbourne.
• 2023: RMIT BFA Graduation Exhibition, Melbourne.
• 2022: Participated in the M.A.D.S International Contemporary Art Exhibition “LIQUID ARSENAL”, Spain.
• 2022: Participated in the Fifty Squared Art Prize Exhibition, Melbourne.
• 2019: Participated in the RMIT Annual FS Exhibition, Melbourne.

Awards & Honors

• 2024: Awarded at the Summer Works Show & Prize 2024

Collections

• 2019: Selected for the RMIT Annual FS Showcase; work acquired by RMIT for its collection.
• 2017: A still life sketch collected by an art studio in Guangzhou, China

Internships and Work Experience

• Dec 2024 – Feb 2025 (Part-time)
  Position: Intern, Curatorial and Operations Department
  Organization: Shining Art Gallery, Guangzhou, China
  Responsibilities: – Assisted in curatorial planning and daily museum operations                     – Participated in the organization and execution of art exhibitions
• 2023 (Internship)
  Position: Intern, Research Department
  Organization: PHOTO Australia, Melbourne, Australia
  Responsibilities: Supported art market research, exhibition planning, and project execution; collaborated on cross-departmental projects.
• 2020 – 2023 (Part-time)
  Position: Contracted Contributor
  Organization: Visual China Group (VCG), China
  Responsibilities: Authored art-related content, curated visual materials, and contributed to the planning and execution of visual communication projects.
• 2020 – 2022 (Part-time)
  Position: Art Teacher & Curator
  Organization: BlankPage Art and Painting Gallery, Guangzhou, China
  Responsibilities: Served as an art teacher and curator; organized art lectures and workshops, and planned and executed art exhibitions.

VOLUNTEER EXPERIENCE

– RMIT – Hiromi’s Big Anxiety Project.                                                                                        2022

– Affordable Art Fair Melbourne VIP NIGHT                                                                                2022