Zhang Xiaogang

Zhang Xiaogang est né en 1958 à Kunming, dans la province chinoise du Yunnan. Il est reconnu comme membre de l’avant-garde artistique chinoise, et comme porte-parole de toute une génération perdue. Lors de la révolution culturelle, de nombreux jeunes furent envoyés pendant plusieurs années à la campagne, pour y travailler et compléter leur « formation politique ». Leurs conditions de vie étaient éprouvantes, loin de leurs familles. Lorsqu’enfin ils revenaient en ville, leur réinsertion était difficile. L’amertume née de cette expérience aura chez Zhang une incidence décisive sur ses créations artistiques. Diplômé de l’Académie des Beaux-Arts de Sichuan en 1982, il est grandement influencé par les œuvres de Vincent Van Gogh et de Millet.

Lors de la Biennale de Venise de 1995, il expose les premiers portraits désormais de ses séries Bloodline, aujourd’hui reconnues et exposées dans le monde entier. Ses sujets sont inspirés de photos anciennes montrant des familles clairsemées, fragilisées par la révolution culturelle. Les personnages en uniformes, silencieux, au regard fermé, sont autant de symboles anonymes d’histoires individuelles niées et mises sous silence. Ils sont reliés par un fil rouge, couleur symbolique de la révolution mais aussi lien de sang et de souffrance, un fil prenant sa source dans une cité interdite dépeinte comme clef de voûte de la société chinoise, métaphore d’un État tout-puissant. Cette série est considérée sur la scène internationale comme le manifeste de toute une génération d’artistes chinois contemporains, et l’expression de « l’âme chinoise ». L’artiste recourt souvent à des zones de couleurs vives, tranchant de façon quasi schizophrénique avec les teintes monochromes grisâtres de ses tableaux, comme pour signifier les fractures générationnelles et idéologiques profondes au sein de la société chinoise. Il continue d’explorer, avec ces portraits, les conséquences de la révolution culturelle ou de la politique de l’enfant unique sur la vie privée et sociale, dénonçant aussi bien le totalitarisme niant les personnes, que l’individualisme les atomisant dans une Chine désormais convertie au capitalisme à outrance. Il vit et travaille actuellement entre le Sichuan et Pékin.

Expositions personnelles

2025

Zhang Xiaogang, The Reader, the Writer, Song Art Museum, Pékin, Chine

2024

Zhang Xiaogang: Illusorium, Fosun Foundation, Chengdu, Chine

2023

Zhang Xiaogang: Enigmata, Contemporary Art Gallery, Kunming, Chine

Zhang Xiaogang: Lost, Pace Gallery, Hong Kong

Zhang Xiaogang: Mayflies, Long Museum West Bund, Shanghai, Chine

2018

Zhang Xiaogang: Multiple Narratives, United Art Museum, Wuhan, Chine

Stage: Zhang Xiaogang 2008-2018, Hubei Museum of Art, Wuhan, Chine

Zhang Xiaogang: Recent Works, Pace Gallery, NY, États-Unis

2015

Zhang Xiaogang: The Plum Tree and The Girl, Galerie Zdeněk Sklenáŕ, Prague, République Czech

2014

Zhang Xiaogang: Memory + ing, Daegu Art Museum, Corée du Sud

Zhang Xiaogang’s Oil on Paper, Gallery Pace, Hong Kong 

2013

Zhang Xiaogang, Pace Gallery, 508 and 510 West 25^th Street, New York, États-Unis

2012

Beijing Voice: Zhang Xiaogang, Gallery Pace, Pékin, Chine

2010

Zhang Xiaogang: 16:9, TodayArt Museum, Pékin, Chine

2009

The China Project: Zhang Xiaogang—Shadows in the Soul, Queensland Art Gallery, Gallery of Modern Art, Brisbane, Australie

The Records, Gallery Pace, Pékin, Chine

2008

Zhang Xiaogang: Revision, Gallery PaceWildenstein, New York, USA

2007

Zhang Xiaogang, Sara Hilden Museum, Tampere, Finland

2006

Amnesia and Memory, Gallery Artside, Seoul, Corée du Sud

Home-Zhang Xiaogang, Beijing Commune, Pékin, Chine

2005

Zhang Xiaogang 2005, Max Protech, New York, USA

2004

Umbilical Cord of History Paintings by Zhang Xiaogang, Hong Kong Art Center, Hong Kong

Zhang Xiaogang: Forget and Remember, Galleria Davide Di Maggio, Milan, Italie

Zhang Xiaogang: Forget and Remember, M3–Galerie Gianluca Ranzi, Antwerp, Belgique

2003

Forget and Remember, Galerie de France, Paris, France

2000

Max Protetch Gallery, New York, États-Unis

1999

Les Camarades, Galerie de France, Paris, France

1998

Bloodline: Big Family-1998, Hanart Taibei Gallery, Taiwan

1997

Bloodline: Big Family-1997, Gallery of the Central Academy of Faine Arts, Pékin, Chine

1994

Zhang Xiaogang, Galerie De France, Paris, France

1989

Lost in Dreams, Gallery of the Sichuan Academy of Fine Arts, Chongqing, Chine

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Expositions collectives

2025

Nothing Still about Still Life: Masterpieces from the World of Flower Collection, Deji Art Museum, Nanjing, Chine

The River of Time: Inaugural Exhibition of MadeOriental Art Center, madeOriental Art Center, Hangzhou, Chine

At Ease with Hand and Mind: Literature, Calligraphyn and Contemporary Art, Qualia Contemporary Art, Palo Alto, Callifornie, États-Unis

Time Unfinished: Chinese Contemporary Art 1980s x 1990, Taikang Art Museum, Pékin, Chine

The Hidden Collectors II, La VIE Material Living Art Center, Shenzhen, Chine

Love Unknown, G Museum, Nanjing, Chine

2024

The Exhibition of Annual of Contemporary Art of China 2014–2024, One Art Museum, Pékin, Chine. December 10, 2024–March 9, 2025.

Zeitgenossische Kunst aus China und Deutschland, Jiangxi Provincial Museum of Art, Nanchang, China, November 8, 2024–January 5, 2025.

My World, Singer Laren, the Netherlands, September 18, 2024–January 12, 2025. (Catalogue)

2023 The Exhibition of Annual of Contemporary Art of China (Shanghai), Duolun Museum of Modern Art, Shanghai, August 18–October 7, 2024.

Mirrors of the Portrait: Highlights of the Centre Pompidou Collection vol. III, West Bund Museum, Shanghai, July 21, 2023–February 16, 2025.

Neo-vision: Chinese Contemporary Art Invitation Exhibition, Jingdezhen Ceramic University Museum, China, June 27–July 26, 2024. Traveled to: Songzhuang Art Museum, Beijing, October 15–December 15, 2024.

Engaging with the World: Modern and Contemporary Chinese Art Since the Dawn of the 20th Century & Taikang Collection Exhibition, Guang Hui Art Museum, Tianfu New Area, Sichuan, China, May 10–July 10, 2024.

Inscription of Time: Experience and Transformation of Contemporary Chinese Art Collection, Ennova Art Museum, Langfang, China, April 29–September 16, 2024.

Grand Opening of Guangdong Museum of Art New Building, Guangdong Museum of Art, Guangzhou, China, April 28–October 31, 2024.

2023

Embarking.Hang: Central Art Museum Opening Exhibition, Central Art Museum, Hangzhou, Chine

Portraits: The Tenth Anniversary of the Long Museum, Long Museum, Shanghai, Chine

Golden—The 28th Anniversary Exhibition, Tang Contemporary Art, Pékin, Chine

Twenty Years of Iteration, Shanghai Duolon Museum of Modern Art, Shanghai, Chine

M+ Sigg Collection: Another Story, M+, Hong Kong

Engaging with the World: Modern and Contemporary Chinese Art Since the Dawn of the 20th Century & Taikang Collection Exhibition, Taikang Art Museum, Pékin, Chine

Twenty Years of Iteration, Shanghai Duolon Museum of Modern Art, Shanghai, Chine

M+Sigg Collection: Another Story, M+, Hong Kong

Engaging with the World: Modern and Contemporary Chinese Art Since the Dawn of the 20th Century, Taikang Collection Exhibition, Taikang Art Museum, Pékin, Chine

Chewing Gum VI, Pace Gallery, Hong Kong

Mirrors of the Portrait: Highlights of the Centre Pompidou Collection vol.III, West Bund Museum, Shanghai, Chine

2022

Multiple Sights: The Tenth Anniversary of the Long Museum, Long Museum (West Bund), Shanghai, Chine

The Language of Mushrooms: The Interspecies Internet, Contemporary Gallery, Kunming, Chine

Chewing Gum V, Pace Gallery, Hong Kong

Art and Peace: Let us begin again from Zero o’clock, Ulsan Art Museum, Corée du Sud

2021

2021 Beyong, TAG Art Museum, Qingdao, Chine

Little Things: Part I & II, Pace Gallery, Genève, Suisse

Signs, Pace Gallery, Hong Kong

2020

Duration: Chinese Art in Transformation, Minsheng Art, Pékin, Chine

Chewing Gum IV, Pace Gallery, Hong Kong

2019

Zhang Xiaogang, Mao Yan and Qiu Xiaofei, Pace Gallery, Hong Kong

Conversations: Contemporary Asian Art, Hermitage Museum & Gardens, Norfolk, Virginia, États-Unis

A Fairy Tale in Red Times: Works from the White Rabbit Collection, The National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne, Australie

Under Construction, TANK Shanghai, Chine

2018

Practice and Exchange: An Exhibition of Chinese Contemporary Art, Ullens Center for Contemporary Art, Pékin, Chine

2017

The Research Exhibition of Chinese Contemporary Art Master’s Manuscripts (First Chapter)—The 10th Anniversary of Triumph Gallery, Triumph Gallery, Pékin, Chine

Art Turns. World Turns: Exploring the Collection of The Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art in Nusantara, The Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art in Nusantara, Jakarta Barat, Indonesie

Art and China after 1989: Theater of the World, Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum, San Francisco Museum of Modern Art, États-Unis

Chinese Dreams, Sandra and David Bakalar Gallery, Massachusetts College of Art and Design, Boston, États-Unis

National Archives of Contemporary Art & the Ceremony of The Council & Academic Committee Recommended Exhibition, National Archives of Contemporary Art, Pékin, Chine

Metamorphosis: Huang Zhuan Memorial Invitational Exhibition, OCT Contemporary Art Terminal, Shenzhen, Chine

2016

Sol LeWitt and Zhang Xiaogang, Pace Pékin, Chine

Talking on Paper, Pace Beijing, Chine

M+ Sigg Collection: Four Decades of Chinese Contemporary Art, ArtisTree, Hong Kong, Chine

The Collection, A Selection of Chinese Works, Fondation Louis Vuitton, Paris, France

2015

A New Dynasty—Created in China, ARoS Aarhus Kunstmuseum, Aarhus, Danemark

Chinz 8: Contemporary Art from China on the Rhine and Ruhr, NRW-Forum, Düsseldorf; MKM Museum Küppersmühle, Duisberg, Allemagne

2014

I Look At Things…Works from the Collection, Faurschou Foundation, Copenhagen, Danemark

Carte Blanche, Pace at Chesa Büsin, Zuoz, Suisse

Hanart 100: Idiosyncrasies, Hanart TZ Gallery, Hong Kong

2013
Voyage and Awakening – FAAM – Fukuoka Asian Art Museum, Fukuoka, Japon

2012

Future Pass – National Taiwan Museum of Art, Taichung, Taiwan

39 Steps up the Corridor – Hanart TZ Gallery, Hong Kong

Future Pass World Exhibition – Today Art Museum, Pékin, Chine

Voyages & Rêves—La Photographie Contemporaine Chinoise, Galerie Loft, Paris, France

2011

Future Pass – Wereldmuseum, Rotterdam, Pays-Bas

Burning, Bright: A Short History of the Light Bulb – The Pace Gallery, New York, USA

Rising – 34FineArt, Cape Town, Afrique du Sud

Chapelle vidéo #1 – musée d´art et d´histoire, Saint-Denis, France

Future Pass-from Asia to the World – Collateral event of the 54th Venice
Biennale – Abbazia di San Gregorio, Venice, Italie

Portal: Contemporary Chinese Paintings, Prints, Photographs and Sculpture, ArtSpace/Virginia Miller Galleries, Coral Gables (Miami), Finlande

2010

Beijing-Havana – New Revolution Contemporary Art, National Art Museum of Cuba, Havana, Cuba

Reshaping History – Chinart from 2000 to 2009，China National Convention Center, Pékin, Chine

Clouds – Power of Asian Contemporary Art, Soka Art Center, Pékin, Chine

The Offical Opening of Minsheng Art Museum Thirty Years of Chinese Contemporary Art, Minsheng Art Museum, Shanghai, Chine

2009

In Other Words, Hanart TZ Gallery, Hong Kong, Chine

A Gift to Marc Polo, Venice International University, Island of San Servolo, Italie

The China Project, G.O.M.A (Gallery of Modern Art), Brisbane, Australie

2008–2009

The Revolution Continues: New Art from China, Saatchi Gallery, Londre, UK

China’s Revision: Focus Beijing, Ludwig Museum, Koblenz, Allemagne

Christian Dior & Chinese Artists, Ullens Center for Contemporary Art, Pékin, Chine

2008

Chinese Painting: Zhang Xiaogang, Fang Lijun, Feng Mengbo, Galerie Rudolfinum, Prague, République Czech

Bloodline exhibition, Saatchi Gallery, Londre, UK

Writing on the Wall: Chinese New Realism and Avant – Garde in the 80s and 90s, Groninger Museum, Pays-Bas

Encounters, Pace Wildenstein, Pékin, Chine

Avantgarde China: 20 Years of Chinese Contemporary Art, National Art Center, Tokyo, Japon

Go China! The Chinese Avant-Garde, Groningen Museum, Groningen, Pays-Bas

Half-life of a dream: Contemporary Chinese art from the Logan Collection, San Francisco, USA Museum of Modern Art, San Francisco, USA

Part I: Case Studies of Artists in Art History and Art Criticism, SZ Art Center, 798 Art District, Pékin, Chine

Our Future: The Guy and Myriam Ullens Foundation Collection, Ullens Centre for Contemporary Art, Chaoyang District, Pékin, Chine

This is Asia?: Chinese, Japanese and Korean Contemporary Art, Andrew James Art, Shanghai, Chine

Collector’s Eye, Gana Art, New York, USA

2007

Society Art, Moscou , Russie

Starting from the Southwest, Guangdong Art Museum, Guangzhou, Chine

2006-07

Mahjong – Chinesische Gegenwartskunst aus der Sammlung Sigg, Hamburger Kunsthalle, Hamburg, Allemagne

China now: Kunst in Zeiten des Umbruchs, Sammlung Essl – Kunsthaus, Klosterneuburg, Allemagne

2006

Food and Desire, South Silk Road. Pékin, Chine

Plato and His Seven Spirits, OCT Contemporary Art Center, Shenzhen, Chine

Reinventing Books in Chinese Contemporary Art, China Institute Gallery, New York, USA

2005-06

Regeneration – Contemporary Chinese Art from China and the U.S.

Arizona State University, Art Museum, Tempe, USA

2005

Mahjong – Chinesische Gegenwartskunst Kunstmuseum Bern, Bern, Allemagne

The Second Triennial of Chinese Arts, Guangzhou Museum, Chine

2004

Stone Face BANG – Chinas first group printing exhibition, Shanghai

Duolun Museum of Modern Art, Shanghai. Chine

Shanghai 5 Biennale: Techniques of the visible, Shanghai Biennale – Shanghai Art Museum, Shanghai, Chine

Contemporary Lithography Group Exhibition, L.A. Gallery Beijing, Pékin, Chine

2003

From China with Art, Indonesian National Gallery, Jakarta, Indonesia

Chinese Contemporary Art, Ludwig Museum – Museum of Contemporary Art, Budapest, Hongrie

Hungary Chinart, Museo dArte Contemporanea Roma, Rome, Italie

2002

BABEL 2002, National Museum of Contemporary Art, Seoul, Corée du Sud

Chinese Modernity, Armandao Alvares Penteado Foundation, São Paulo, Brésil

Image is Power, He Xiangning Art Museum, Shenzhen, Chine

Paris-Pekin, Espace Cardin, Paris, France

CHINaRT, Museum Kuppersmuhle, Duisburg, Allemagne

2001

The Initial Image: Contemporary Art on Paper, Yibo Gallery, Shanghai, Chine

Hot Pot, Kunstnemes Hus, Oslo, Norvège
Towards a New Image, 20 Years of Contemporary Chinese Painting, National Gallery, Beijing, Shanghai Art Museum, Sichuan Province Art Museum, Chengdu and Art Museum of Guangdong Province, Guangzhou, Chine

Passe-murailles, Musee de Picardie, Amiens, France

Rouges, Galerie Loft, Paris, France

C’est Moi, C’ est Nous, Galerie de France, Paris, France

2000

Portraits de Chine Contemporaine, Espace Culturel F. Mitterand, Perigueux, France

Futuro, Contemporary Art Centre of Macau, Chine

Kwangju Biennial, Kwangju, Corée du Sud

The Dutch Gasunie, Groningen, Holland, Pays-Bas

The Chengdu Movement, Canvas International Art, Amsterdam, Pays-Bas

1998-2000

Inside Out, Asia Society, New York, MoMA San Francisco, Seattle, Monterey, USA

8+8-1, Selected Paintings by 15 Contemporary Artists, Schoeni Gallery, Hong Kong

1997-98

Avant Garde Chinese Artists, Soobin Gallery, Singapore

China Now, Kulturprojekte, Basel, Suisse

Faces and Bodies of the Middle Kingdom, Chinese Art of the Nineties,

Gallery Rudolfinum, Prague, République Czech

1996-97

CHINA! Kunstmuseum, Bonn, travelled to Vienna, Singapore, Copenhagen and Varsovie, Pologne

Four Points de Rencontre: Chine 1996, Galerie de France, Paris, France

1996

Asia Pacific Triennial, Australie

Reckoning with the Past, Fruitmarket Gallery, Édimbourg, Écosse

1995

46th Venice Biennale, Venice, Italie

Avant Gardes Artistiques Xineses, Centre d’art Santa Monica, Barcelona, Espagne

1994

22nd International Biennial of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brésil

1993

New Art from China: Post-1989, Marlborough Gallery, Londres, R.U

Chinese Fine Art in the 1990s: Experiences of China, Chengdu, Chine

Mao Goes Pop, Museum of Contemporary Art, Sydney, Australie

1992

Guangzhou Biannual, Guangzhou, Chine

1991

I Don’t Want to Play Cards with Cezanne, Asia Pacific Art Museum, Californie, États-Unis

1989

China Avant Garde, China National Gallery, Pékin, Chine