Dann Xiao is a multidisciplinary artist who works on phenomenal focus with objects, bodies, images, and words. Currently based in London. Dann studied BA Fine Art Printmaking at the Shenzhen University, and has completed a MA degree at the Royal College of Art in Contemporary Art Practice. She is currently studying MA Performance: Design and Practice at Central Saint Martins.
Dann’s practice navigates the intersection of objects and their meanings. Familiar things become unfamiliar—detached from their original roles and placed within frameworks that provoke reflection on vulnerability, evolution and materiality. She employs mechanical repetition and substantial constraint with time-based sculptures to form compositions that contradicting systems under pressure. Rather than presenting fixed interpretations, she creates environments which question the boundaries between personal experience and collective culture.
Dann was part of My Room is Another Fishbowl (2024) at the Westbourne Grove Church, curated by Sunjoo Jung. Where she showed a diverse collection of sculptures, performance, poems and drawings. Other selected group programs including All Fish Are Dead Fish (2023, RCA), About Time (2024, Swan Fall Art), Ruthin International Arts Festival (2024, Ruthin) and Wasteland Art Week (2025, ART Zhongshan-Impression Qijiang). She has co-curated programs including Play Ground: a performance festival in public playgrounds, and a group exhibition for art school student Wáng. She collaborates in various fields e.g. costume design for Ouroboros (film, 2025) directed by Shiyang Liu; album design for alternative rock band Uzumaki; showcase design for fashion designer Zheru Wu; movement R&D for ‘Frankenstein’ with Imitating the Dog. Her works have been delivered as part of mixed programs in Tate Late (2023, Tate Modern) and the Prince Charles Cinema (2023).
Email dannxiao993@gmail.com
Instagram @dann1xiao
YouTube @DannXiao