ZHANG DAQIAN: THE MASTER

In celebration of the 120th anniversary of Zhang Daqian’s birthday, Sotheby’s will present a large-scale solo exhibition, Zhang Daqian: The Master, from 12 October to 9 November 2019, at Sotheby’s Hong Kong Gallery. Co-organised by Xi Zhi Tang Gallery, the exhibition will feature nearly 60 paintings sourced from the artist’s family and private collectors around the world. This exhibition will encompass important works from different periods of the artist’s oeuvre, with an emphasis on splashed ink paintings, many of which have been featured in major exhibitions and some have never before been seen in public.

Zhang Daqian was a remarkable artist from a young age, though his characteristic splashed ink painting technique was developed at a later stage in his life, during his long residency overseas when he found himself immersed in modern Western art developments and the pioneering output of the Abstract Expressionists. Combining Chinese painting materials and semi-abstract imagery, Zhang Daqian developed a new style that encapsulated an aesthetic rooted in traditional Chinese painting, while imbuing his compositions with a spontaneity to create ravishingly beautiful works with a strong visual impact, making his mark on the history of 20th century art.

A series of public events will be held during the exhibition period, including the launch of Professor Feng You-Heng’s new book, The Paintings of Chang Dai-chien, 1950-1983: From Traditionalism to Modernism, a talk by Professor Feng, and guided tours of the exhibition.