The cover of the 2007 book, "A History of Art in Twentieth Century China" is one of the “Big Family” series by Zhang Xiaogang.

Zhang Xiaogang

Family Story

Zhang Xiaogang graduated from the Sichuan Academy of Fine Arts, in 1981. He spent five years working reluctantly in a local choric unit. Finally he was hired as a teacher by the Sichuan Academy of Fine Arts. In 1993, Zhang Xiaogang was invited to participate in a experiment exhibition in Kunming -- and to show his new works.

Zhang Xiaogang said, “I tried to experiment in two or three styles. I painted my friends and classmates using expressionism. Accidentally, when I saw the old photographs of my parents in Kunming, I was fascinated; maybe it is cause and effect of my past life.”

The baby in the photo was Zhang Xiaogang. In the 60s and 70s, every Chinese family had such a photo. But Zhang Xiaogang’s paintings based on these old photos received a chilly reception from critics.

Wang Lin said, “I told him that I do think your paintings are good enough, Zhang Xiaogang was angry and said you don’t know my true feelings; every person in my eyes is anamorphic now!”

Zhang Xiaogang’s works slowly won the acceptance of critics. Acceptance evolved over the following four or five years, especially in international markets. On October 4th, 2004, China’s first contemporary art exhibition debuted in Pairs. Among the most famous contemporary arts in the last twenty years, Zhang Xiaozhang has received special attention for his “Big Family” series painting.

Li Xianting, an art critic, said, “All his works feel like day dreams. Noticed the expressions of the people in his Big Family. All appear absent-minded.This is an important detail. The absent-mindedness is a kind of reflection of his heart. The red lines lead the viewer to think of the bloodline relations between generations. The red flecks bring to mind feelings of calm. All this has a strong visual effect. It can be recalled at once.”

In 2003, Zhang Xiaogang began to paint a new series : “Amnesia and Remembrance”, he is interested in how memory can be selective and often inaccurate.

In this contradictory world of past and reality, Zhang Xiaogang is striving to rethink and express his own fear and loneliness.

(CCTV October 8, 2008)