ARTIST BIO

Youjia Xu is a Melbourne-based Chinese artist working primarily in oil painting, with a focus on portraiture and figurative works. Drawing from both her Chinese cultural background and her life in Australia, her paintings explore memory, identity, human connection and the quiet emotional moments found in everyday life.

Influenced by classical realism as well as contemporary impressionistic painting, she is particularly interested in capturing atmosphere, emotional presence and the subtle relationship between people and their surroundings. Her work often combines careful observation with expressive brushwork and layered colour, creating paintings that feel both intimate and reflective. Alongside portraiture and figurative subjects, she also enjoys painting landscapes and still life works inspired by nature, light and everyday objects.

Her portrait painting “Cactus” was selected as a finalist in the Southern Buoy Portrait Prize 2022. She has also participated in a number of community exhibitions and local art shows throughout Melbourne, including the Whitehorse Art Show and the Mornington Art Show. kinglake art show.

She is an active member of the Berwick Artist Society and the Emerald arts society, where she regularly participates in painting sessions and community art activities.

Alongside her own art practice, she runs a private studio teaching both children and adults in oil painting, pastel and watercolour. While experienced across multiple mediums, oil painting remains her deepest passion and primary artistic language.

Through both painting and teaching, she hopes to share a sense of warmth, sensitivity and emotional connection, encouraging viewers and students alike to slow down, observe deeply and find beauty within ordinary moments.