XIYADIE (b. 1963) is a self-taught Chinese artist who has transformed the traditional folk art of paper-cutting into a powerful medium for personal and political expression. Working from a foundation rooted in the centuries-old techniques he first learned from his mother, Xiyadie has redefined the possibilities of this delicate art form by infusing it with bold homoerotic imagery and queer narrative themes. His chosen name, “Xiyadie,” meaning Siberian Butterfly, symbolises his own metamorphosis, both as an individual and as an artist.

A pioneering figure, Xiyadie is the first known Chinese paper-cut artist to publicly depart from conventional folk motifs to engage with LGBTQ+ subject matter. His works are intricate, multilayered compositions that juxtapose the precision and symbolism of traditional papercutting with intimate, transgressive content; offering a rare, poetic vision of queer identity within the context of Chinese visual culture.

In 2023, Xiyadie’s practice gained international acclaim with his solo exhibition 'Queer Cut Utopias' at The Drawing Center, New York—his first major institutional presentation in the West. His inclusion in the 60th International Art Exhibition of La Biennale di Venezia, curated by Adriano Pedrosa, further stated his status as a significant voice in global contemporary art.