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CHI WING LO: THE ARTIST WHO TEACHES US HOW TO LIVE AND ALLOWS US TO SELF REFLECT
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Zhang Guo-Qiang is a cross-media artist renowned for his expertise in modern visual theory. His prolific oeuvre, encompassing over 2,000 works including the distinguished "Meat Series," "The Garden of Evolution Series," "Loong Series," "Year Series," and "Flute Player Series," is widely sought after by esteemed domestic and international art institutions and private collectors. In recent years, his focus has broadened to encompass overseas artistic research, promotion, and exchange, solidifying his global presence.
His impact on the international art scene is undeniable. In June 2019, he successfully mounted the comprehensive solo exhibition "Fukaya Ni Ryu No Hoko Wa Kakurezu (谷深未曾掩龍吟)" at the prestigious Fukuoka Asian Art Museum in Japan. Further cementing his legacy, Sichuan Fine Arts Publishing House released his expansive art book series "Solitary Valley" in English, Chinese, and Japanese in 2023.
Artistically, Zhang Guo-Qiang is devoted to exploring and redefining the identity of Chinese contemporary artists in the new era. Grounded firmly in traditional Chinese culture while seamlessly integrating advanced international concepts, he crafts works with compelling modern visual characteristics within a broader, sophisticated visual language framework. Collaborating with global teams, he actively expands his artistic IP into the burgeoning digital-era cultural industries, including avant-garde fashion design, showcasing a remarkable breadth of vision and an unwavering commitment to the evolution of art and culture.
Zhang Guo-Qiang's practice is a testament to the seamless integration of new modern color theories and innovative language techniques, all while honoring and evolving traditional visual systems. This ambitious endeavor not only safeguards cultural heritage but propels it into a new, resonant dialogue.
The genesis of "The Garden of Evolution" is as poetic as its title suggests. Amidst a sudden rainstorm, the resounding strains of Beethoven's Sixth Symphony enveloped the artist, conjuring visions of the majestic Song and Yuan Dynasty landscapes and the profound grace of ancient calligraphy. This profound encounter, a solitary communion with nature and art, ignited an exhilarating journey through Zhang Guo-Qiang's spiritual garden.
"The Garden of Evolution" masterfully intertwines classical poetry with a modern dynamism, creating a compelling tension between surface glamour and underlying depth. The series pulses with the robust essence of traditional Chinese culture, delivering a soft yet potent poetic current amplified by a pronounced modern influence. This captivating interplay between the contemporary and the ancient within a rich cultural tapestry invites profound contemplation, prompting viewers to linger, much like a "Reincarnated Poet." Comprising over 100 acrylic paintings on canvas meticulously crafted over the past decade, this series stands as Zhang Guo-Qiang's seminal body of work from recent years, segmented into derivative series such as "Rose Garden," "Rhythm of Wood and Stone," and "Misty Clouds."
At its core, "Evolution" is the guiding principle of this series. Zhang Guo-Qiang breathes new life into traditions through innovative visual concepts, ushering in a fresh evolution that renders abstraction remarkably accessible to contemporary audiences. Within this collection, the artist ingeniously employs color splicing techniques to depict vivid, direct rain, initiating a transformative exploration of new and modern color palettes. Drawing deeply from his extensive research into color in digital imagery, a distinctly personal color language emerges throughout "The Garden of Evolution" series, a unique chromatic signature that also permeates his rice paper creations. Consequently, the works within this series are intrinsically interconnected, exhibiting diverse appearances yet maintaining an unwavering internal cohesion as they continuously explore and evolve.
