Zhang Xiaogang

Zhang Xiaogang was born in 1958 in Kunming, in the Chinese province of Yunnan. He is recognized as a member of the Chinese artistic avant-garde, and as a spokesperson for a whole lost generation. During the Cultural Revolution, many young people were sent to the countryside for several years to work and complete their “political training”. Their living conditions were harsh, far from their families. When they finally returned to town, their reintegration was difficult. The bitterness born of this experience will have a decisive impact on Zhang’s artistic creations. A graduate of the Sichuan Academy of Fine Arts in 1982, he was greatly influenced by the works of Vincent Van Gogh and Millet.

During the 1995 Venice Biennale, he exhibited the first portraits from his Bloodline series, now recognized and exhibited worldwide. His subjects are inspired by old photos showing sparse families, weakened by the Cultural Revolution. The characters in uniform, silent, with closed eyes, are so many anonymous symbols of individual stories denied and silenced. They are linked by a red thread, a symbolic color of the revolution but also a link of blood and suffering, a thread originating in a forbidden city depicted as the keystone of Chinese society, a metaphor for an all-powerful state. This series is considered on the international scene as the manifesto of a whole generation of contemporary Chinese artists, and the expression of “the Chinese soul”. The artist often resorts to areas of bright colors, contrasting in an almost schizophrenic way with the greyish monochrome tints of his paintings, as if to signify the deep generational and ideological fractures within Chinese society. He continues to explore, with these portraits, the consequences of the cultural revolution or the one-child policy on private and social life, denouncing both totalitarianism denying people and individualism atomizing them in a China now converted to excessive capitalism. He currently lives and works between Sichuan and Beijing.

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,

Zhang Xiaogang: Recent Works, Pace Gallery, NY, USA

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, USA

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, USA

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

EXPOSITIONS DE GROUPE 

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

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

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, Beijing, 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, USA

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, USA

Chinese Dreams, Sandra and David Bakalar Gallery, Massachusetts College of Art and Design, Boston, USA

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 Beijing, 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), Finland

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

1994
22nd International Biennial of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil

1993
New Art from China: Post-1989, Marlborough Gallery, Londre, UK
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, USA

1989
China Avant Garde, China National Gallery, Pékin, Chine