The title comes from the well-known Han Dynasty text, Records of the Great Historian. The show displays Zhang's new works of art from 2008 to 2009, which includes prints on steel plates, sculptures and installations.
Zhang Xiaogang is one of China's leading artists. His artistic development parallels that of contemporary art in China. "The Records" includes a continuation of his Green Wall series paintings along with a group of new sculptures. He uses seemingly subtle objects to continue his sensitive depiction of memory: from the beginning bloodlines, light spots and trail of tears to the later faraway skylines and overhead electrical wires that appeared to travel freely across the canvas planes. He also utilizes objects which people would usually turn a blind eye to, such as lamp cords and electrical cables. Zhang makes connections between abstract history and concrete living through the use of these details. With history in mind, he is constantly reminding us that every individual grows up amidst this abstract yet concrete history.
"The Records" is Zhang's continued exploration of his many recent series, and a collective exhibition of these artworks. It's also another breakthrough for the artist in his creative style and descriptive method.
Interview:Zhang Xiaogang
The characteristic of the exhibition is that I am trying new kinds of materials. I am expressing the same theme in a different way and seeing what happens.
For years I've been thinking about combining writing and painting in my work. This time I changed the material and the painting process, so this is sort of different from my previous work. I'm exploring the same theme I've always been focusing on, just through altered media.
This exhibition ends on November 15.
Editor: Cong Fangjun