Zhang Dali Chinese, b. 1963
Slogan (72), 2010
Acrylic on vinyl
150 x 120 cm
59 1/8 x 47 1/4 in
59 1/8 x 47 1/4 in
9865
Zhang Dali’s Slogan paintings are developing his interest in the current Chinese zeitgeist. The artist appropriates various Chinese government slogans which are phrases that characterize the sociopolitical climate of mainland...
Zhang Dali’s Slogan paintings are developing his interest in the current Chinese zeitgeist. The artist appropriates various Chinese government slogans which are phrases that characterize the sociopolitical climate of mainland China and are plastered around the city of Beijing. Phrases related to the One-Child Policy, industrialization, and national unity are mapped repeatedly onto the faces of various migrant workers which are in turn embellished by a seemingly infinite series of concentric circles.
The paintings are visually challenging, requiring almost as much work by the viewer to decipher as it took Zhang Dali to create them. The dizzying spiral motif has been screen-printed onto rows of hand-painted text. The subtle hues blend on the canvas and in the viewer’s eye to form a single coherent image. The repetitive nature of the text and circles not only reference Zhang Dali’s previous Slogans which were painted on vinyl, but also enforce the monotony of the phrases themselves. The Chinese government slogans reverberate across the painting like a record spinning on a needle. The effect is almost deadening. To drive the point home, patterns of flies swarm over some paintings like morbid wallpaper.
Zhang Dali creates an experience of emotional muteness. This act of repetition works on several levels. It addresses the role of the Chinese media’s encouraging specific sentiments, especially nationalism, in its citizens. By placing these phrases and shapes over individuals, he examines the psychological after-effects of this kind of subversive indoctrination.
The paintings are visually challenging, requiring almost as much work by the viewer to decipher as it took Zhang Dali to create them. The dizzying spiral motif has been screen-printed onto rows of hand-painted text. The subtle hues blend on the canvas and in the viewer’s eye to form a single coherent image. The repetitive nature of the text and circles not only reference Zhang Dali’s previous Slogans which were painted on vinyl, but also enforce the monotony of the phrases themselves. The Chinese government slogans reverberate across the painting like a record spinning on a needle. The effect is almost deadening. To drive the point home, patterns of flies swarm over some paintings like morbid wallpaper.
Zhang Dali creates an experience of emotional muteness. This act of repetition works on several levels. It addresses the role of the Chinese media’s encouraging specific sentiments, especially nationalism, in its citizens. By placing these phrases and shapes over individuals, he examines the psychological after-effects of this kind of subversive indoctrination.
Provenance
Artist's studioExhibitions
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.Welcome to our new website
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