Art Historian and Painter Zhang Shaoxia

Chen Chuanxi

Chinese Art Critic, Professor, and Doctoral Supervisor

Chen Chuanxi

Mr. Zhang Shaoxia is an old friend of mine. He is an expert in Western art history, world arts and crafts history, and Chinese modern painting history. He is also an outstanding painter. I have always believed that “smart people can excel at anything they do,” Mr. Zhang Shaoxia is a smart and talented man.

Zhang Shaoxia studied Western art history and wrote a million-word book titled History of European Art Development. He began writing the book during his postgraduate studies and prepared to publish it in several places. Eventually, the book was published by the People’s Fine Arts Publishing House in Beijing. Zhang also authored three volumes of History of World Arts and Crafts, demonstrating his pioneering spirit. I have noticed that many people who study the history of arts and crafts in China have referenced his work. Some acknowledged him, while others did not, but I can still tell because Zhang has given me a few books, and I’ve read them carefully, so when I read others’ content, I could tell that Zhang had already covered those topics. He doesn’t follow the crowd; instead, others follow him. His insights into the study of art history are profound and comprehensive.

Distant Sea, Bunkers, Jungles (Torrey Pines Golf Course) 150×80cm Oil on Canvas 2022

Genuine masters of Chinese painting must understand art history, art theory, and calligraphy. They need to know more than just painting. Some individuals specialize in painting but also considerably understand the theory; it’s just that they have yet to write any works. For instance, artists like Shi Tao, Dong Qichang, and Guo Xi have written their books; otherwise, they wouldn’t have become top-tier masters. In Chinese painting, scholarship takes precedence over technique. In contrast, technique is paramount in oil painting, although scholarship also plays a role. Take Renaissance master Michelangelo as an example; his poetry was even better than many poets. Leonardo da Vinci was a polymath. I visited his former residence and almost forgot he was a painter because hardly any of his paintings were there; they were mostly in museums. He researched machine guns and aircraft, which convinced me he was a polymath capable of excelling in any field. Zhang Shaoxia is a similar figure. There’s a difference between those who have studied art history and those who haven’t - they choose different subjects. Many who haven’t studied art history prefer to paint landscapes. However, Zhang only paints golf because he enjoys playing golf, and it highlights the uniqueness of his subject matter. In the future, when it comes to the best painter of golf landscapes, it will be Zhang Shaoxia.

Let's talk about Zhang Shaoxia's painting skills. His foundation in oil painting is excellent, which surprised me. We now know that Zhang is an art historian and a talented and distinctive oil painter. His first exhibition was held at his alma mater, NUA, and I hope he can go global.

The Classic Course at High Altitude (Jade Dragon Snow Mountain Golf Club) 150×80cm Oil on Canvas 2022

Zhang Shaoxia studies art theory. He collaborated with Li Xiaoshan to write a book called History of Modern Chinese Painting, laying the foundation for his academic career. Academic study is critical; merely mastering techniques is akin to being a craftsman. I’ve conducted surveys in the United States and Europe, where 60% of undergraduate art education is dedicated to cultural courses, 20% to foreign languages, 20% to art history, and 20% to other disciplines. In comparison, painting classes only constitute 40% of all classes. Therefore, schools should focus on cultivating students’ academic reserves, not just technical skills. Nowadays, many Chinese oil painters have little knowledge of art theory. They may refer to a particular aspect of theory when it is needed for painting, but systematic learning is uncommon. Therefore, I hope that more oil painters can follow suit with Zhang Shaoxia to study art history, philosophy, and literature. It will broaden their thinking and outlook, leading to better paintings. Painting is ideological; one’s consciousness is reflected in one’s painting. Rich consciousness leads to diverse paintings, while poor consciousness leads to bad paintings. Zhang Shaoxia’s continuous research on painting has dramatically inspired the development of oil painting art in China.

 (Transcribed from interview recording)