Biography
Kai Liu is a Chinese-Canadian artist based in Vancouver, BC, renowned for his expressive depictions of abstract landscapes. He utilizes painting, printmaking, and mixed media to explore the interplay between observed nature and imaginative imagery. Born and raised in China, Liu developed his artistic skills through formal academic training in his early years. His journey eventually brought him to Canada, where he initially worked as a graphic designer in Ontario. Later, finding his artistic home in Vancouver, he pursued printmaking at Langara College. Liu furthered his education by earning a Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) and a Master of Fine Arts (MFA) from Emily Carr University. During his MFA program, he was influenced by both traditional Chinese art and Western art, exploring their integration through techniques, aesthetic phylosophies and materiality in his contemporary practice, resulting in a unique blend of cultural influences. His work has been showcased throughout Canada, reflecting his unique artistic approach and diverse influences.
Curriculum Vitae
EDUCATION
2024 MFA, Emily Carr University of Art + Design, Vancouver BC, Canada
2022 BFA in Visual Arts, Emily Carr University of Art + Design, Vancouver BC, Canada
2020 Fine Arts Diploma, Langara College, Vancouver BC, Canada
2013 Graphic Design Creative Studio Diploma, Mohawk College, Hamilton ON, Canada
SOLO EXHIBITIONS
2025
Unforeseen Clouds, Lipont Gallery, Richmond BC, Canada
Alumni Kai’s Solo Exhibition, Emily Carr University Alumni Gallery, BMO Theatre, Vancouver BC, Canada
2024
Seaside Compositions, This Gallery, Vancouver BC, Canada
Coastal Reverie, Visual Space Gallery, Vancouver BC, Canada
2023
Untitled Vancouver Sceneries – Featured Artist Show, Art Rental & Sales at the Vancouver Art Gallery, Vancouver BC, Canada
GROUP EXHIBITIONS
2024
Mini Group Exhibition 2024, Wallace Galleries, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
Winter All Members’ Show, Dundarave Print Gallery, Vancouver BC, Canada
Launch Pad,The City of Vancouver Public Art Program – Artwork Billboard, Vancouver BC, Canada
The Show, Emily Carr University, Vancouver BC, Canada
Kindred, MFA Thesis Exhibition, Emily Carr University, Vancouver BC, Canada
2023
The State of Practice Interim Project Exhibition, Emily Carr University, Vancouver BC, Canada
Reception, 76 Miller Street, Toronto ON, Canada
The VIBGYOR Show, ECU Neighbourhood Gallery, Emily Carr University, Vancouver BC, Canada
2022
Pressed Together, Emily Carr University, Vancouver BC, Canada
Art 4 Life 2022, Port Moody Arts Centre, Vancouver BC, Canada
Connecting the Dots Print Exchange, Emily Carr University, Vancouver BC, Canada
Grad Show 2022, Emily Carr University, Vancouver BC, Canada
Emerging Print Exhibition, Dundarave Print Workshop, Vancouver BC, Canada
Luminous Light, Luminous Travels, Luminous Tales, Emily Carr University, Vancouver BC, Canada
2021
Opus Explore Virtual Gallery, Vancouver BC, Canada
Print Pulse 30: National Undergraduate Printmaking Exhibition, Queen’s University, Kingston ON, Canada
Unfolded Langara Fine Arts 2020/2021 Graduation Exhibition,
Langara College, Vancouver BC, Canada
2020
Grit Studio – Lifestyle Coffee Art Gallery
Late to the Party Art Exhibition, Vancouver BC, Canada
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
Printmaking and Mixed-media Painting Workshop, Gibsons’ School of The Arts, Gibsons BC, Canada, 2024
Teaching Fellowship, Emily Carr University of Art + Design, Vancouver BC, Canada, 2023
Artist Talk, Art Rental & Sales at the Vancouver Art Gallery, Vancouver BC, Canada, 2023
Research Assistant, Emily Carr University of Art + Design, Vancouver BC, Canada, 2023
Teaching Assistant, Emily Carr University of Art + Design, Vancouver BC, Canada, 2022
Painting Instructor, Green Apple Art Center, Vancouver BC, Canada, 2022
Curation, the “Late to the Party” Art Exhibition, Vancouver BC, Canada, 2020
Workshop, Artwork Documentation Photography, Langara College, Vancouver BC, Canada, 2020
Exhibition Design, Make Believe: The Secret Library of M. Prud’homme Library, A Rare Collection of Fakes Exhibition, Vancouver BC, Canada, 2019
Studio Assistant, Fine Arts Department, Langara College, Vancouver BC, Canada, 2018 – 2020
Graphic Artist, Mohawk College, Hamilton ON, Canada, 2015 – 2018
SCHOLARSHIPS / AWARDS
Alvin Balkind Memorial Scholarship, Mr. Gerrit J. Te Hennepe, Emily Carr University 2021
Linda Janitis Memorial Scholarship, Ms. Laura Wears, Emily Carr University 2021
Honorary Studio Award 2020, Langara College Fine Arts 2021
Scott Plear First Year Drawing Scholarship, Langara College Fine Arts 2019