Julian Hsiung is an extraordinary artist, whose singular vision bridges the timeless techniques of the Old Masters with the vibrant energy of contemporary expression. Born in Beijing and raised in Taiwan, Hsiung’s journey began at Overseas Chinese University in Taichung, Taiwan, before he ventured to New York City, where he established his studio in the heart of DUMBO in 2007.

Hsiung’s paintings are a mesmerizing exploration of idealized beauty, sensuality, and ambiguity, centered on the portrayal of young male figures. His meticulous process produces canvases that pulse with life—translucent skin, rendered in hypnotic blues and greens, appears to breathe, as if real blood courses beneath the surface. His masterful use of layered pigments creates a vivid, almost tactile quality, drawing viewers into an intimate dialogue with the subject.

Drawing inspiration from his early exposure to Western culture through magazines and books, Hsiung became enamored with fashion and contemporary art. This fascination, nurtured in Taiwan and fully realized in New York, informs his fearless celebration of desire and sexuality. His subjects, often depicted in unapologetic nudity (some available only for private viewing to comply with Massachusetts guidelines), exude an exaggerated, vivid, and unafraid intensity.

His luminous art is not merely seen but felt—a visceral experience. His figures, painted in the most traditional of techniques, challenge conventional expectations of what a painting should be. His bold interplay of light, color, and form creates a space where the male body is not just subject but canvas, and where paint is not just pigment, but pulsing life itself.

Hsiung’s bold and provocative work has been exhibited in prestigious venues, including solo and group exhibitions in New York City and Los Angeles, with notable shows at the Leslie-Lohman Museum of Art and the Charles Leslie Foundation. He is represented exclusively by Greg Salvatori Gallery.