Visual artist Joe Weis AKA STQ serves up symbolism the same way an MC lays down a clever metaphor: with flourish, style, and a little bit of attitude. As an artist raised in post-90s China, he can’t seem to help himself. Born amidst rapid urbanization, his art bursts with the fast-paced, media-saturated energy of his upbringing, resulting in pieces that are as dynamic as they are deep.

Drawing from the rich cultural reservoir of his hometown of Xi’an, an ancient city, STQ’s art often features cultural symbols such as carousels, Trojan Horses, and Terracotta warriors, and more. Like chapters unfolding in a novel or hooks on a track, these recurring motifs appear and reappear across his body of work, reflecting the dreams and dilemmas of his generation, and serve as a visual reminder of how the rhythms of history keep popping up in the present. In this sense, the work of STQ is widely praised as being both deeply personal while resonating in a universal sense.

Instagram: @Stair.q

Following his graduation from the Xi’an Academy of Fine Arts in 2013, STQ rapidly distinguished himself from his cohort with his impressive output and dedication to experimentation. Since then, he has displayed prolifically throughout China and recently, in Europe, where his art is widely exhibited and collected by major galleries and museums.

Instagram: @Stair.q

While still a student, STQ founded "The Painting House" (TPH), an art label committed to uplifting and supporting artists of his generation. Merging his passion for gaming with his love for art, STQ utilizes the Grand Theft Auto (GTA) engine by Rockstar Games to design imaginative exhibitions. This innovative approach bridges digital gaming with traditional art forms, offering a unique platform for artists to exhibit their work. TPH underscores STQ's dedication not just to his own artistic career but also to nurturing the community of artists across China.

Instagram: @Stair.q

“As a long-term object of my personal painting, the carousel has occupied most of my painting career. The heart and Chinese abacus in this artwork are metaphorical techniques, expressing my feelings about interpersonal relationships and social interactions in China.”

Composite materials on paper, 25x18.5cm 2018

"This work is a music EP cover created for a rapper. "JUNGLE LOVE" can be understood as a primitive love, with a high-purity background and a withered tree, which is a particularly primitive feeling, just like the place where Adam and Eve are located."

Composite Materials on paper, 26 x 18cm, 2019

"This work records the time of early 2020, during which there was a mix of bitterness and sweetness. Everyone was forced to stay at home or in a fixed place, and no one knew what it was like outside, but it seemed like no one was curious. However, for me, being forced to stay in a studio was a happy thing, like a diamond shining alone."

Oil on canvas, 100x57 CM, 2020

"The key in emotions is an abstract concept, and changing a person's thoughts involves many concepts. Among them, it also needs to be changed in love, but most of the time it is difficult to change. I can only express, express, and vent through painting"

Composite Materials on Paper, 25x18.5cm, 2018

Visual artist Joe Weis AKA STQ serves up symbolism the same way an MC lays down a clever metaphor: with flourish, style, and a little bit of attitude. As an artist raised in post-90s China, he can’t seem to help himself. Born amidst rapid urbanization, his art bursts with the fast-paced, media-saturated energy of his upbringing, resulting in pieces that are as dynamic as they are deep.

Drawing from the rich cultural reservoir of his hometown of Xi’an, an ancient city, STQ’s art often features cultural symbols such as carousels, Trojan Horses, and Terracotta warriors, and more. Like chapters unfolding in a novel or hooks on a track, these recurring motifs appear and reappear across his body of work, reflecting the dreams and dilemmas of his generation, and serve as a visual reminder of how the rhythms of history keep popping up in the present. In this sense, the work of STQ is widely praised as being both deeply personal while resonating in a universal sense.

Instagram: @Stair.q

Following his graduation from the Xi’an Academy of Fine Arts in 2013, STQ rapidly distinguished himself from his cohort with his impressive output and dedication to experimentation. Since then, he has displayed prolifically throughout China and recently, in Europe, where his art is widely exhibited and collected by major galleries and museums.

Instagram: @Stair.q

While still a student, STQ founded "The Painting House" (TPH), an art label committed to uplifting and supporting artists of his generation. Merging his passion for gaming with his love for art, STQ utilizes the Grand Theft Auto (GTA) engine by Rockstar Games to design imaginative exhibitions. This innovative approach bridges digital gaming with traditional art forms, offering a unique platform for artists to exhibit their work. TPH underscores STQ's dedication not just to his own artistic career but also to nurturing the community of artists across China.

Instagram: @Stair.q

“As a long-term object of my personal painting, the carousel has occupied most of my painting career. The heart and Chinese abacus in this artwork are metaphorical techniques, expressing my feelings about interpersonal relationships and social interactions in China.”

Composite materials on paper, 25x18.5cm 2018

"This work is a music EP cover created for a rapper. "JUNGLE LOVE" can be understood as a primitive love, with a high-purity background and a withered tree, which is a particularly primitive feeling, just like the place where Adam and Eve are located."

Composite Materials on paper, 26 x 18cm, 2019

"This work records the time of early 2020, during which there was a mix of bitterness and sweetness. Everyone was forced to stay at home or in a fixed place, and no one knew what it was like outside, but it seemed like no one was curious. However, for me, being forced to stay in a studio was a happy thing, like a diamond shining alone."

Oil on canvas, 100x57 CM, 2020

"The key in emotions is an abstract concept, and changing a person's thoughts involves many concepts. Among them, it also needs to be changed in love, but most of the time it is difficult to change. I can only express, express, and vent through painting"

Composite Materials on Paper, 25x18.5cm, 2018