Zhang He

Through a dynamic language of abstraction, Zhang’s oil paintings convey a visceral engagement with the surrounding natural environment while evoking the depth of human emotions. With a calligraphic execution, his bold and gestural brushstrokes demonstrate a unique physicality and spontaneity, which resonate with early influences of Abstract Expressionism and the Automatistes Movement. The luscious colors and rich textures dictate each composition by accentuating its inherent physicality, and in doing so, add a sculptural quality to the painting.

Every artist has their artistic inspirations rooted in the Masters. For Zhang, the Automoatistes and Abstract Expressionists are close to his beginnings. Other inspirations include Helen Frakenthaler, Chaim Soutine, and Egon Schiele.

While the expressiveness of his painterly strokes makes a statement of their own, Zhang is not deliberating creating the physical appeal of texture; rather, this multi-layered process is an integral element of his work to achieve an overall state of equilibrium on canvas: between positive and negative spaces, the thick and thin, and contrasting color tones, etc. For the artist, the very act of breaking existing compositional patterns is particularly challenging yet essential, in order to achieve a harmonious formulation of movement and thought. As such, Zhang engages in the ongoing art historical dialogue to push further the boundaries of abstract painting. Ultimately, he seeks to evoke a fundamental state of existence through an intimate encounter with nature, life in all of its forms, and the plethora of human emotions. Each work is an intuitive process and they all depend on how feelings come to the artist. Zhang paints with the canvas flat on the floor which is where the dialogue for him begins.

Video Interviews

Artist Information

Artist Website:

https://www.artistzhanghe.com

Zhang He (b. 1963, Shenyang, China) obtained a Bachelors in Painting from the Lu Xun Art Academy (Shenyang, China). He has been part of several international exhibitions in the last two decades, including the Florence Biennale (Italy), the National Gallery of Thailand (Thailand), Art Toronto, Art Palm Beach and Art Bejing. Zhang has been featured in numerous publications including: Vie des Arts, Canadian Art, and Parcours. First arriving in Vancouver in 1997, Zhang currently lives and works in Montreal.

Zhang He

Residence: Montreal, Quebec

Born: 1963, Shenyang, China

Education

Bachelor of Painting from the Lu Xun Art Academy, Shenyang, China

Selected Solo and Group Exhibitions

2022    25thAnniversary Group Exhibition, Kostuik Gallery, Vancouver, BC

2020    Galerie Z Art Space, Pictura, Montreal, QC

2020    Galerie de Bellefeuille,Montreal, QC

2019    Odon Wagner Contemporary, Toronto, ON

2016    Odon Wagner Contemporary, Toronto, ON

2015    Galerie Z Art Space, Pictura, Montreal, QC

2011    Gallery DeNovo, Ketchum, ID

2011    International Biennale Artists Show, LuminArte Gallery, Dallas, TX

2011    Chinese Artist Contemporary Arts Exhibition, Thailand National Gallery, Bangkok, Thailand

2011    International Art Meeting Collective Art Show, Florence, Italy

2010    International Biennale Artist, Miami, FL

2010    Nina Torres Fine Art Gallery, Miami, FL

2010    Il Palaclo Gipsoteca Libero Museum Andreottl, Pescla, Italy

2010    John Scotti Jaguar-Land Rover: New Model Exhibition, Montreal, QC

2009    Artbank Gallery, Beijing, China

2008    Luxun Art Institute, Shenyang, China

2008    Galerie d’Este, Montreal, QC

2008    Sunshine Art Museum, Beijing, China

2008    Art Westmount, Montreal, QC

2008    Shanghai High Noon Art & Culture Centre, Shanghai, China

2007    Odon Wagner Contemporary, Toronto, ON

2007    Galerie Galerie Pangee, Montreal, QC

2007    Galerie d’Este, Montreal, QC

2006    Elliott Louis Gallery Canadian Fine Art, Vancouver, BC

2003    HAN Art, Montreal, QC

2002    Gallery DeNovo, Ketchum, ID

Selected Public and Private Collections

IACO International Aviation Corp, Montreal, QC

Pfiffner Management, Montreal, QC & Zurich, CH

Lise Watier Interantional, Montreal, QC & Paris, FR

Monit International, Montreal, QC

Hot & Spicy Inc., Canada & China

L’EQUIPE Uomo Montreal, QC

Ta Yu Association

Bertrand Deslauriers, Bureau des Avocats

Association du Nouveau Monde, Hong Kong

Studio Verstile Itee Inc. Montreal, QC

Graphic Design Studio Paul Tom Inc. Montreal, QC

Howard Szalavetz Properties, Montreal, QC

Comark Securities Inc., Toronto

Elements, Toronto, ON

HYI Architecte, Montreal, QC

International Biennales and Fairs

Florence Biennale, Italy

Art Toronto, Canada

Art Palm Beach, USA

Art Beijing, China

National Gallery of Thailand

 

Harmony of Movement and Thought – Haute Magazine – Jan, 2023

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