The Inner Spirit and Temperament of Success

Zuo Zhuangwei

Professor of Art History, School of Fine Arts of Nanjing Normal University

Zuo Zhuangwei

Zhang Shaoxia was already interested in art history while studying at the School of Fine Arts of Nanjing Normal University (NNU) in 1972. In 1978, he enrolled in the graduate program at the Nanjing University of the Arts (NUA) and worked at his alma mater after graduation. During this period, he received comprehensive academic training in fine arts and established a solid foundation in artistic knowledge. In the early 1980s, he moved to Hainan and became the dean of the School of Arts of Hainan University. Afterward, he started his business but never forgot his passion for art history. Zhang continued his research and writing in art history during his commercial activities. He balanced his business with his research and writing on art history and theory for a relatively long period. Therefore, I said he had "two brains" – "one for business and the other for art historical research and artistic creation." It has been 23 years since I had an in-depth conversation with him. In 1999, he invited me to live in Shanghai for a year, where we collaborated on writing a book titled Encyclopedia of World Art, for which he provided a wealth of materials. Since then, I have known that he has written numerous works in art history, making outstanding achievements. Thus, he is not only an entrepreneur but also an art historian and a painter.

As a scholar of art history, Zhang possesses the knowledge of theoretical guidance and art history and can absorb the necessary nutrients for his creative endeavors. During his visits to the West, he gained firsthand experience with many masterpieces, from which he gleaned valuable insights. In terms of Western art, ancient art was concentrated in Western Europe, Italy, Greece, and Rome. Later, in the 17th century, the center of art shifted to France and resided in Europe during the 19th and 20th centuries before World War II broke out. After World War II, modern Western art gradually moved towards the United States. Thus, one must go to America to understand contemporary art. The absorption of Western ancient and modern art by American artists is reflected in their creative processes. While in the United States, Zhang encountered many American contemporary art from the 20th to the early 21st century. Therefore, his ideas evolved from tradition to modernity, and his familiarity with art history contributed to his artistic creations.

After viewing these works, I find that his concept has evolved from tradition into modernity, but his paintings are still going through this process. I notice several crucial aspects or unique qualities compared to other oil painters in his paintings. Firstly, his choice of subject matter: Many oil painters have a wide range of subjects and paint whatever they see, but Zhang focuses on golf courses. Golf courses are not accessible to the general public, but he can engage in this sport and visit many golf courses, experiencing various natural landscapes. At this point, playing golf forms a relationship between humans and nature in his mind. Therefore, Zhang seeks to understand, perceive, and depict different golf courses and natural landscapes through this sport. In his artistic concept, there is both traditional realism and the Chinese traditional free style of Xieyi, as well as the inherent language of Western oil painting, color shaping, and the familiar visual and natural changes in light and color. In terms of representation, he respects nature but is not confined to it, which is influenced by Chinese traditional concepts. His paintings are generally traditional and realistic but are not about naturalistic realism. Naturalists depict whatever they see, while Zhang makes choices, creating a traditional Chinese image (yixiang). So, his oil paintings transition from tradition into modernity.

A Difficult Green (New Albany Golf Club) 120×65cm Oil on Dew-retting Linen Canvas 2022

Chinese painters have a distinctive characteristic of being famous for their choice of subject matter. For instance, Xu Beihong is known for his horse paintings, and Qi Baishi is associated with his shrimp paintings. However, in Western oil painting, artists may be known for portraiture, historical scenes, or landscapes, focusing primarily on human figures. After the 18th century, Western painters shifted their attention towards nature, as seen in the works of artists like John Constable from England. In Zhang Shaoxia's paintings, I see relaxed and joyful expressions reminiscent of English watercolor paintings. Moving into the 19th century, Impressionism emerged, using light and color to shape artistic images. Zhang absorbed some of these techniques during this period. After Impressionism, the focus on light and color diminished, and attention turned towards depicting timeless natural landscapes. His choice of golf courses as his primary subject matter was greatly inspired by the Chinese painters' practice of establishing their artistic styles and expressions in society through certain subject matters. He made it by painting different golf courses, so whenever Zhang Shaoxia is mentioned, we know that he paints golf courses, similar to how Xu Beihong is known for his horse paintings and Qi Baishi for his shrimp paintings. It is a fascinating artistic phenomenon.

On the other hand, the color palette of his oil paintings combines both Eastern and Western characteristics. Chinese artists prefer to depict inherent colors or natural hues under normal lighting conditions. This feature is seen in his works, showing his respect for nature. From the perspective of artistic conception, his works relate to his experiences, as he was a successful entrepreneur in business and an eminent art historian when he engaged in art history research. Now, incorporating these talents in painting, he is a successful painter. His success indicates that he integrates his understanding of art history with reality, combining theory with practice. His works suggest profound depth, unlike typical painters who only delve into the technical aspects. Therefore, he is on this path.

Exaggerated Water Hazards Before the Green (Van Cortlandt Golf Course) 120×65cm Oil on Dew-retting Linen Canvas 2022

The relationship between Chinese painters and nature is that heaven and man are united. At first, the artist sees a landscape as it is, but upon closer inspection, it's not merely a landscape but an embodiment of the artist's thoughts, emotions, social ideals, and aesthetic ideals. This notion of a landscape represents the fusion of the painter's subjectivity and objectivity. Looking back at Zhang's paintings, there is a unity of subjectivity and objectivity, just as Wang Guowei, a great scholar in the Qing Dynasty, once said, "Emotions arise from the scenery, sentiments are expressed through the scenery, and the scenery and emotions merge into one." Therefore, in Zhang's paintings, we see his unrestrained spirit, which is the artistic expression of his successful life. His paintings are delightful, both in color and form, realistic yet joyful because he expresses his emotions directly without many worldly or utilitarian pursuits of the era. Viewing his paintings is a pleasurable experience, reflecting the artist's cheerful disposition. The painter is a successful man, and the inner spirit and temperament behind his success are reflected in his art. Thank you.

(Transcribed from an interview recording)