A Clean and Pure Natural World

Li Anyuan

Dean of the School of Humanities of Nanjing University of the Arts

Li Anyuan

I have two feelings after viewing the works of Professor Zhang Shaoxia. Firstly, as a scholar of art history, his paintings also reflect his understanding of art history. From his works, we can deeply feel that his study of techniques in Western art history is quite systematic. He not only absorbed the traditions of the Western art academies but also the techniques of modernism in the 20th century and concepts of contemporary paintings. As Professor Zhu Qingsheng mentioned, his works present more of his spiritual landscape. Therefore, Zhang's works quickly transport us to a clean and pure natural world away from the noisy world. In his works, we do not see people or objects from the real world or any images of post-industrial civilization; he presents pure nature. It is related to Professor Zhang's intellectual background. He naturally maintains a distance from the noisy world in his heart, which is his innate intention. The second point concerns his works. His description of pure nature reflects his return to simplicity when contemporary paintings become conceptual. His works intuitively reflect the question of building a spiritual connection between one's heart and the inner essence of painting.

Intended Image (Pine Valley Golf Club) 150×80cm Oil on Dew-retting Linen Canvas 2023

Not a Realistic Scene (Oak Quarry Golf Club) 150×80cm Oil on Dew-retting Linen Canvas 2023

(Transcribed from interview recording)