Zhang Dali

Artist Biography:

Zhang Dali was born in Harbin, China in 1963. He graduated from the painting department at the Central Academy of Fine Arts in Beijing with a BA in 1987. An influential figure in socio-political artistic movements in China, Zhang Dali has, for decades, challenged the conventional with his social documentation in graffiti, sculpture, photography and painting.

Zhang was exiled after graduating from the Central Academy of Fine Arts and spent six years immersing himself in Western art and art history in Italy. Upon his return to Beijing, he developed a keen interest in portraiture (usually of himself), documentary and public urban art, often interrupting spaces with confrontational political statements. The photograph series ‘A Second History’ consists of propaganda and found images under the rule of Mao, which have been doctored or altered to the Chairman’s artistic ‘vision’ of politics and appropriation. He is critically recognized as one of China’s first graffiti and street artists.

In 2014, Zhang Dali presented a comprehensive solo show at Klein Sun Gallery titled “Square,” which featured his cyanotypes, fibreglass sculptures, and paintings. The renowned contemporary art journal Yishureviewed the show, mentioning that “the points Zhang Dali is making exist beyond historical specificity; they attain a view of humanity that is startlingly real. In this way, he achieves the status of world citizen and world artist, one who helps open up the lines of communication with the rest of the world that China has at times denied during its recurring periods of inversion and mistrust.”

Zhang’s work has been exhibited extensively across the globe. His solo shows include “Zhang Dali,” Museo de Arte Contemporáneo de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina (2015); “Zhang Dali,” Kunstverein Ludwigsburg, Ludwigsburg, Germany (2015); “Square,” Pékin Fine Arts, Beijing, China (2015); “A Second History,” Red Brick Factory, Guangzhou, China (2015); “From Reality to Extreme Reality: The Road of Zhang Dali,” United Museum, Beijing, China (2015); “Second History,” Luxun Academy of Fine Arts Museum, Shenyang, China (2013); “Il Sogno Proibito della Nuova Cina,” Palazzo Inghilterra, Turin, Italy (2009); “Slogan,” Kiang Gallery, Atlanta, GA (2008); “Chinese Offspring,” Chinese Contemporary Gallery, New York, NY (2007); “New Works by Zhang Dali,” Chinese Contemporary Gallery, London, UK (2005).

Zhang’s group shows include “The Shadow Never Lies,” Shanghai 21st Century Minsheng Art Museum, Shanghai, China (2016); “Utopias and Heteropias – The First Wuzhen International Contemporary Art Exhibition,” North Silk Factory and West Scenic Zone, Wuzhen, China (2016); “Audacious: Contemporary Artists Speak Out,” Denver Art Museum, Denver, CO (2016); “Agitprop!” The Brooklyn Museum, Brooklyn, NY (2015-2016); “DECONSTRUCTING CHINA: Selections from the Asia Society Museum Collection,” Asia Society Museum, New York, NY (2015); “Faking it: Manipulating Photography Before Photoshop,” The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY (2012); “New Photography 2011,” The Museum of Modern Art, New York NY (2011); “Speech Matters,” The 54th Venice Biennale, Venice, Italy (2011); “The Original Copy: Photography of a Sculpture, 1839 to Today,” The Museum of Modern Art, New York, NY (2010); “Great Performance,” Pace Beijing, Beijing, China (2010); “The Revolution Continues: New Art from China,” Saatchi Museum, London, UK (2008); “Logan Collection,” San Francisco Museum of Modern Art, San Francisco, CA (2008); “Between Past and Future: New Photography and Video from China,” International Center of Photography, New York, NY, Asia Society New York, NY, Museum of Contemporary Art, Chicago, IL, Victoria & Albert Museum, London, UK (2004); and “Beijing in London,” ICA, London, UK (1999).

His work is in public collections including Museum of Modern Art, New York, NY; The Brooklyn Museum, Brooklyn, NY; The Saatchi Gallery, London, UK; Smart Museum, Chicago, IL; and Asia Society, New York, NY.

Zhang Dali currently lives and works in Beijing, China.