SENS Gallery presents the latest works of Chinese artist Zhang Qingzhu. Most of his works evoke nostalgia and focus on the memories of China’s rapid transformation between the years 1980 and 1990 after the reform and opening-up. Despite witnessing the great changes of the era, he still uses a bright and full painting language to depict the simplicity of the folk and the resilience of ordinary people in the face of a changing climate.
Zhang Qingzhuo presents folk scenery in a dramatic way, often depicting expressive children and animals, adding a touch of fun and vitality to the content. The visible slogans behind the characters further enhance this stage effect.
At the same time, the artist creatively depicts the interplay of light and shadow and geometric patterns on the plane. In this way, the restrained lines are juxtaposed with the child’s innocence and naturalness, creating a sense of scatteredness, as if implying that some beautiful things will decay over time. Such spatial arrangement is like inviting viewers to engage in a dialogue and exchange between the past and the present.
Zhang Qingzhu skillfully captures the various aspects of everyday life through his keen eyes, using his camera to capture street scenes around him and responding to the real world through his paintings. However, the landscapes he depicts intentionally maintain a certain distance from reality, embodying a fleeting yet genuine emotion. He divides his works into different parts, creating a sense of space while maintaining a flat overall composition. With rich and intricate colors and details, it is evident that he has a strong command of surrealistic painting techniques.
Each of Zhang Qingzhu’s works is just a fragment in the grand narrative, yet the hard work of social reform is quietly concealed within his works. Children often hold on to innocence and curiosity about the world around them, and this image allows Zhang Qingzhu to emphasize the pure and natural side of humanity in his works. The artist combines the real world with fantasy, from his own experience witnessing the changes of the times to looking back on the past, attempting to present how people can still be fulfilled and self-sufficient in the rapid currents of change.
“Time of Togetherness” Exhibition
Date: From now until February 18th (excluding Sundays and public holidays)
Time: 11:00 AM to 7:00 PM
Location: Room 08, 19th floor, Landmark South, Wong Chuk Hang
Image source and learn more: SENS Gallery
