CHU CHU 儲楚
EXPO Chicago 2026 | April 9 – 12, 2026
QUALIA CONTEMPORARY
CHU CHU 儲楚
b. 1975, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China lives and works in Nanjing, China
Chu Chu’s hybrid photography-calligraphy practice occupies a distinctive position within contemporary ink discourse: she often begins with photography and works inward, allowing brushwork, text, and layered intervention to complicate and transform the image’s relationship to its source. Across bodies of work that combine photography, calligraphy, and painting, she produces images that are sensuous yet conceptually dense, moving between the languages of contemporary photography and Chinese ink practice without allegiance to either.
Her method is recursive, accumulative, and deliberately unstable: some works are photographed and reprocessed multiple times within a single piece, creating a recursive practice that pushes against—or even nullifies—the category of “photography” itself. Photographs are revisited, reworked, and overlaid with ink, calligraphy, color, acrylic, and other media, at times pushing both text and image toward near-illegibility.
Chu Chu amplifies the dissonance in imagery with an analogous tension through media. Calligraphy carries the force of an irreversible gesture, while photography implies capture, repetition, and mechanical mediation; Chu Chu binds the two together so that fixity and instability remain in play at once. Drawing on natural forms, classical literature, and philosophical texts, her compositions hover at the threshold of recognition, yielding images that are lyrical, elusive, and resistant to immediate interpretation.
Winter·Sixty Ninth Pentad·Zhi Shi Qu (冬·六十九候：雉始鸲), 2017-2019
Photography, Ink and silver Colour on Xuan Paper
13.78 x 17.72 x 0.79 in, Framed: 49 x 25.5 in
CHU CHU 儲楚
Winter·Sixty Fifth Pentad·Rippling Springs (冬·六十五候：水泉动), 2017-2019
Photography, Ink and Colour on Xuan Paper
13.78 x 17.72 x 0.79 in, Framed: 49 x 25.5 in
CHU CHU 儲楚
Camphor-The Universe in a Nutshell (树语-香樟), 2011-2018
Photography, Chinese ink and calligraphy on paper
23.62 x 23.62 in
CHU CHU 儲楚
Pine-Book of Odes (树语-松), 2010-2019
Photography, Chinese ink and calligraphy on paper
23.62 x 23.62 in
CHU CHU 儲楚
Tea - Book of Odes (树语-茶), 2010-2019
Photography, Chinese ink and calligraphy on paper
23.62 x 23.62 in
CHU CHU 儲楚
Autumn-Sixty One Pentad·Cool Breeze (秋-六十一候·凉风至), 2018
Photography, Ink and Colour on Xuan Paper
Each: 12.99 x 18.5 in, Scroll Size: 49.61 x 44.88 in
CHU CHU 儲楚
CHU CHU 儲楚
Autumn-Forty One Pentad·Lotus Porty (秋-四十一候·蜇虫坯户), 2017
Photography, Ink and Colour on Xuan Paper
Each: 11.02 x 13.78 in
Calligraphy New York·Searching (书纽约·寻找表达的方式), 2018
Photography, Ink silver, and Colour on Xuan Paper
Diptych: 47.24 x 70.87 in , Scroll Size: 63.39 x 78.74 in
CHU CHU 儲楚
City·Bergamot (城市·香柠檬), 2007 - 2023
Photography, Ink and Colour on Paper
31.5 x 39.37 in
CHU CHU 儲楚
Dream of the West Lake-The 1st of the 24 Solar Terms (二十四节气-春分), 20052016
Photography, Chinese ink & calligraphy on paper 11.02 x 13.78 in
CHU CHU 儲楚
Full Moon-Daphne and Troy (月轮-达芙妮和特洛伊), 2019-2023
Photography, Ink and Colour sliver gold on Paper
41.34 x 41.34 in
CHU CHU 儲楚
Material Immaterial-Fruits 02 (物非物-果實02), 2010-2016
Photography, Chinese ink and calligraphy on paper
51.18 x 66.93 in
CHU CHU 儲楚
Winter-Fifty Seven Pentad·Veilde (冬-五十七候·虹藏不露), 2018
Photography, Ink and Colour on Xuan Paper
Each: 12.99 x 17.72 in, Scroll Size: 49.8 x 44.88 in
CHU CHU 儲楚
Winter-Seventy One Pentad·Migratory (冬-七十一候·征鸟厉疾), 2018
Photography, Ink and Colour on Xuan Paper
Each: 12.99 x 18.5 in, Scroll Size: 50 x 46.1 in
CHU CHU 儲楚
Winter-Twelfth Pentad·Burgeoning (冬-十二候·荔挺出), 2018
Photography, Ink silver, and Colour on Xuan Paper
Each: 12.3 x 17.72 in , Scroll Size: 50.39 x 44.88 in
CHU CHU 儲楚
Writing of Landscape No.5: Guo Xi’s “The Learning of Landscape Painting” (水之五：郭熙《山水诀》), 2015
Ink on Paper
8.27 x 23.62 in
CHU CHU 儲楚
Writing of Landscape No.6: Guo Xi’s “The Secret of Landscape Painting”
(书山水之六：《画诀》), 2015
Ink on Paper
8.27 x 23.62 in
CHU CHU 儲楚
Installation View: The Edge of
(On view Nov 7 – Dec 12, 2023)
Days
CHU CHU 儲楚
b. 1975, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China; lives and works in Nanjing, China
Biography
1975 Born in Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
1980 Began studying Chinese ink painting
2000 BA, Oil Painting, China Academy of Art, Hangzhou, China
Curator, Untitled, 2000 Present, Hangzhou group exhibition for six female artists
2007 MA, New Media, China Academy of Art, Hangzhou, China; studied under Jiao Jian Lecturer, Department of Art, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
2015 PhD, Calligraphy, China Academy of Art, Hangzhou, China; studied under Wang Dongling Jury, 25th National Photographic Art Exhibition, China Millennium Monument, Beijing, China
2016 Guest Professor, Faculty of Humanities, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
Associate Professor, Research Centre of Modern Calligraphy, China Academy of Art, Hangzhou, China
2017 Christie’s produced a video about Chu Chu’s art
2018 Featured in Poetry Calligraphy Painting Quarterly, no. 2, Beijing, China
2020 Featured in Shanghai Photography, no. 1, Shanghai, China
Poetry and All Things: Dialogue with Chu Chu, livestream, Hangzhou, China
Chu Chu: Photography and Multi-media, talk on new works, Department of Art, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
2022 Waving Clouds and Flowing River, cross-media performance, Four Seasons Hotel Hangzhou at West Lake, Hangzhou, China
Present Vice Secretary, Lanting Calligraphy Society, Hangzhou, China
Vice President, Zhejiang Female Calligraphers Association, Hangzhou, China
Vice President, Zhejiang Culture and Tourism Photographers Association, Hangzhou, China Selected
2024
Ink Shadow and Flowing Light: The Melodic Ensemble of Chu Chu’s Ink Photography, Inaugural Shenzhen Metro Art Festival, Shenzhen, China
2023
Chu Chu: Awakening, Alisan Fine Arts, Hong Kong
2022
Rose and Parakeet, Qiushui Villa, Hangzhou, China
The Only Green: Chu Chu Solo Exhibition, Four Seasons Hotel Hangzhou at West Lake, Hangzhou, China
2021
The Whole Creation: Multi-coloured 21g, Shadowless Art Space, Hangzhou, China
CHU CHU 儲楚
b. 1975, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China; lives and works in Nanjing, China
Selected Solo Exhibitions (cont.)
2018
Kiss & Beauty, Yinno Living Art Gallery, Hangzhou, China
2017
Images of Objects: Photographic Calligraphy by Chu Chu, Alisan Fine Arts, Hong Kong
2014
Material Immaterial, 3 Gallery, Beijing, China; Kunst Licht, Shanghai, China
2013
About Material: Solo Exhibition of New Media, Photography, Calligraphy, Hanhouse Art Museum, Hangzhou, China
2012
Material Immaterial, Hihey.com, Beijing, China
2008
It’s Not It, OFOTO Gallery, Shanghai, China
Material Immaterial, OFOTO Gallery, Shanghai, China
Selected Group Exhibitions / Museum Presentations
2025–2026
Metamorphosis: Chinese Imagination and Transformation, China Institute Gallery, New York, USA
2025
Fine Art Asia, Alisan Fine Arts, Hong Kong
Hangzhou is the Most Beautiful: Hangzhou Calligraphy, Painting, and Seal Carving Exhibition, Xiling Seal Society Art Museum, Hangzhou, China
Art Basel Hong Kong, Alisan Fine Arts, Hong Kong
Hybrid Nature, Alisan Fine Arts, New York, USA
Art SG, Alisan Fine Arts, Singapore
2024
Word Play, Alisan Fine Arts, Hong Kong
Art Basel Hong Kong, Alisan Fine Arts, Hong Kong
Landscape as Metaphor: Contemporary Voices, Alisan Fine Arts, New York, USA
CHU CHU 儲楚
b. 1975, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China; lives and works in Nanjing, China
Selected Group Exhibitions / Museum Presentations (cont.)
2023
Beyond Tradition: The Metamorphosis of Chinese Art, Alisan Fine Arts, Cromwell Place, London, UK
Ink Asia, Alisan Fine Arts, Hong Kong
Poetic Jiangnan · Dynamic Zhejiang: New Landscape Photographic Art Exhibition, Gongwang Art Museum, Hangzhou, China
Psyche Graphics: Rejuvenating Contemporary Ink Art, Xiamen Chao Kuang Art Museum, Xiamen, China
New Calligraphy for the Times: 20th Anniversary of Modern Calligraphy Research Centre of China Academy of Art, Yuan Art Museum, Hangzhou, China
Kunming Art Biennale: Writing and Boundary, Yunnan Art Museum, Kunming, China
Ink Alchemy: Beyond Tradition, Alisan Fine Arts, Hong Kong
Summoning Memories: Art Beyond Chinese Traditions, Asia Society Texas, Houston, USA 2022
Wandering Through Nature: 3rd Art Scene of West Lake Photography Exhibition, Gongwang Art Museum, Hangzhou, China
Through the Lenses, Alisan Fine Arts, Aberdeen, Hong Kong
2021
In the Name of Flowers, T Contemporary Art Centre, Changsha, China
2020
Six-A-Side Exhibition: Mount Mogan Resident Art Season, Chaoyang Cultural Hall at Xiaoxi Street, Huzhou, China
Lanting Calligraphy Society Biennial, Zhejiang Exhibition Hall, Hangzhou, China
Out of the Shadows: Contemporary Chinese Photography, Museum of Photographic Arts, San Diego, USA
Walking Scenery, Moganshan Homestay Space, Shanghai, China
Taipei Dangdai, Alisan Fine Arts, Taipei, Taiwan
2019
Group Exhibition, Chinese Art Gallery, Philadelphia Museum of Art, Philadelphia, USA
Writing Non-writing: Hangzhou International Modern Calligraphy Exhibition, Art Museum of China Academy of Art, angzhou, China
Women Ink | China Hong Kong, Alisan Fine Arts, Hong Kong
Art West Lake: The 2nd International Ink Wash Fair, Hangzhou Peace International Convention and Exhibition Centre, Hangzhou, China
Art Basel Hong Kong, Alisan Fine Arts, Hong Kong
2018
40 Years of Chinese Contemporary Photography, OCAT Shenzhen, Shenzhen, China
Art Weihai: Research Exhibition of Famous Contemporary Ink Artists, Weihai Art Museum, Qingdao, China
The Voice of the Brush Part II, Alisan Fine Arts, Hong Kong
HOPE: A Charity Exhibition Celebrating the Works of Outstanding Contemporary Chinese Women Artists, Alisan Fine Arts, Hong Kong
Photo Fairs Shanghai, Shanghai, China
2017
In Flux: Chinese Contemporary Art, Art Basel Hong Kong, Alisan Fine Arts, Hong Kong
CHU CHU 儲楚
b. 1975, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China; lives and works in Nanjing, China
Selected Group Exhibitions / Museum Presentations (cont.)
2016
Contemporary Landscapes: From Modern Classics to the New Vanguard, Art Basel Hong Kong, Alisan Fine Arts, Hong Kong
2015
Writing Non-writing, China Academy of Art, Hangzhou, China
Tracing the Brush, Transformed Text, Inauguration of Ink Asia, Alisan Fine Arts, Hong Kong
2nd Three Shadows Experimental Image Open Exhibition, Beijing, China
2014
Beyond the Jade Terrace, Alisan Fine Arts, Hong Kong
FOTOFever Paris, Grand Palais, Paris, France
Photo Paris, Louvre, Paris, France
2012
International Biennial of Lanting Calligraphy Commune, Zhejiang Art Museum, Hangzhou, China
Zhejiang Contemporary Photography Exhibition by New Artists, Hangzhou, China
Material-Word, Bottega Veneta Art Space, Shanghai, China
In situ: Exposition Photo Revelation, Paris, France
Impression of Pudong: Exhibition by New Artists, Pudong Library, Shanghai, China
Jetlag: New Media Exhibition, Hannover Exhibition Centre, Hanover, Germany
Tokyo Photo 2012: International Photography Fair, Tokyo, Japan
Calligraphy Exhibition by Chinese Young Artists, Jinhua, China
2011
Midsummer, OFOTO Gallery, Shanghai, China
Fantasy: 3rd Dali International Photography Exhibition, Dali, China
Contemporary Photography in China, Tasveer Studio, India
Photo LA + Art LA Projects: Art Fair, Los Angeles, USA
2010
Contemporary Photography in China, AKI Gallery, Taipei, Taiwan
Beyond the Body: Contemporary Video Exhibition, MOCA, Shanghai, China
1st Jimei International Contemporary Art Festival, Art Museum of Jimei University, Xiamen, China
Another Landscape: 1st Photography Annual Exhibition by xitek.com, Inter Art Centre, 798 Art Zone, Beijing, China; ESPON Gallery, Moganshan Art Zone, Shanghai, China; Dali, China
2009
Moving, Likailin Contemporary Fine Art Gallery, Manchester, UK
Photo Beijing, Beijing, China
2008
Genius, Shopping Gallery, Shanghai, China
Creative Women Unite, Houston, USA
It’s Not It, OFOTO Gallery, Shanghai, China
CHU CHU 儲楚
b. 1975, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China; lives and works in Nanjing, China
Selected Group Exhibitions (cont.)
2007
The Light of Searching and the Lotus at Dawn: 12th Lishui International Photography Festival, Photography Museum of Lishui, Lishui, China
It’s Not It Tool: 3rd Lianzhou International Photography Festival, Lianzhou Culture Centre, Lianzhou, China
A Glance: Ten Viewers of the West Lake, China Academy of Art “Mixed Reality” Post-Graduate Exhibition, China Academy of Art, Hangzhou, China
The Alchemy Shadow, Lianzhou, China
2006
It’s Not It Tool: Light and Shade, China Academy of Art, Hangzhou, China
L’Art de Produire Art Exhibition, Centre Pompidou, Paris, France
2005
China, Green: 1st Video Festival, Ag-Art Loft, Hangzhou, China
Thoughts are Seen, Hangzhou, China
2004
New Media Arts Festival, China Academy of Art, Hangzhou, China
2003
3rd National Chinese Young Artists Exhibition, National Art Museum of China, Beijing, China
2001
New Century Oil Painting Exhibition, Hangzhou, China
2000
2nd Round of Salon Youth Outreach, Hangzhou, China
Untitled, 2000 Present: Six Female Artists Group Exhibition, Hangzhou, China
Photo Fairs Shanghai, Shanghai, China
Selected Awards
2011 Shiseido Prize for Best Female Photographer, Three Shadows Photography Award, Beijing, China
2010 Yearly Cutting-edge Photographer, selected by xitek.com, Beijing, China
2006 Creative Award of New Media, China Academy of Art, Hangzhou, China
2001 Excellent Works Award, New Century Oil Painting Exhibition, Hangzhou, China
2000 Excellent Works Award, Zhao Mengfu Prize, National Painting Competition, China
CHU CHU 儲楚
b. 1975, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China; lives and works in Nanjing, China
Selected Public Collections
Harvard Art Museums, Cambridge, USA
Smith College Museum of Art, Northampton, Massachusetts, USA
Rhode Island School of Design, Providence, USA
Philadelphia Museum of Art, Philadelphia, USA
Centre Pompidou, Paris, France
Stavanger Kunstmuseum, Stavanger, Norway
Shanghai Minsheng Art Museum, Shanghai, China
Three Shadows Photography Art Centre, Shanghai, China
Selected Publications
2023 Photographic Apocalypse, Zhejiang Photographic Press, Zhejiang, China
2022 Rose and Parakeet, Writing Non-writing Culture and Art, Hangzhou, China
2022 Photography Inspiration, Zhejiang Photographic Press, Hangzhou, China
2019 Xunzhao Taohuayuan, Hangzhou Press, Hangzhou, China
2016 Wuwufeishi: Chu Chu, Jianghong Museum of Art, Hangzhou, China
2014 Beyond the Jade Terrace, Alisan Fine Arts, Hong Kong
2014 Chu Chu Photography: Material Immaterial 2014, +3 Gallery, Beijing, China
2013 The Adjustment of Controversies, Zhejiang, China
2011 Contemporary Chinese Photography, China Youth Publishing Group, China
2010 25 Cutting-edge Chinese Photographer, Zhejiang Photographic Press, China
2008 Chu Chu, China Academy of Art Press, Hangzhou, China
1997 Poem “Xiangdie” published in Genesis; poem “Bottle” published in Author
QUALIA CONTEMPORARY ART
Praised by renowned art historian Alexander Nemerov as “a hidden gem in Silicon Valley,” Qualia Contemporary Art presents a diverse program of emerging and established artists working across a wide range of media and is dedicated to facilitating dialogue between Asian and international contemporary practices.
Since opening in Fall 2020, the gallery has mounted over 30 exhibitions: highlights from these presentations include the U.S. debuts of Pan Hsinhua, Lyu Peng, and Xu Hongming; local artists like Younhee Paik, Stella Zhang, Nick Dong, and Joe Ferriso; and internationally-recognized artists including Paul DeMarinis, Guillermo Galindo, Yang Jiechang, and Wang Tiande.
The gallery has also collaborated with leading Chinese artists such as Xu Bing, Wang Dongling, Gu Wenda, and Gu Gan, as well as with prominent scholars including Alexander Nemerov, Richard Vinograd, Ouyang Jianghe, and Xie Xiaoze.
