Lu Xinjian was born in 1977 in Yixing, Jiangsu province of China. Upon graduating in 2000 from the Computer Graphic Design department of the Nanjing Arts Institute, Lu pursued an Interactive Media Postgraduate degree at the Design Academy Eindhoven. In 2006, he received his M.F.A. from the Interactive Media and Environment department at the Frank Mohr Institute in the Netherlands.

Deeply influenced by Piet Mondrian’s neoplasticism (also known as De Stijl), Lu Xinjian draws from the abstract form of lines to depict modern metropolises by reducing their complexities to meticulous geometric shapes and sharp blocks of color. For example, the formulation of his City DNA series begins by using Google maps to obtain satellite images of select cities. Subsequently, through the use of lines and emblematic symbols overlooking a cityscape Lu Xinjian flattens trees, road signs and various other elements to construct a unique emblematic aesthetic for each city. This allows viewers to examine once familiarized metropolises from a different perspective. In recent years, as Lu Xinjian continues to explore and to experiment with new creative trajectories and themes, he has produced the City Stream and Reflections series, which can be seen as extensions of City DNA. The City Steam series contemplates the density of cities from a position fixed to the ground, while Reflections portrays the tranquil essence of cities through their reflection in water.

Lu has participated in many domestic and international exhibitions. His recent solo exhibitions include City DNA - Xinjian Lu, European Institute of Contemporary Art and Science, Zutphen, The Netherlands (2018); Boogie Woogie, de Sarthe, Hong Kong (2018); Infinite Lines, de Sarthe, Beijing, China (2017) and Constellation, ART LABOR Gallery, Shanghai, China (2015). His group exhibitions include PRESENCE: A Window into Chinese Contemporary Art, St. George's Hall, Liverpool, UK (2018); Eja-Xinjian, Grietenijhuis, Beetserzwaag, Netherlands (2016); NULNU, Nieuw Dakota Gallery, Amsterdam, Netherlands (2015) and ARTificial Garden, Shanghai World Financial Center, Shanghai, China (2014). Lu Xinjian's works are collected by several public art institutions: White Rabbit Gallery, Sydney, Australia; DSL Collection, Paris, France; Anxin Trust, Shanghai, China.

Lu Xinjian currently lives and works in Shanghai, China.

de Sarthe past exhibitions: 

Boogie Woogie, 19 May - 7 July, 2018

Infinite Lines, 12 March - 30 April, 2017

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