Biography
Through a dynamic language of abstraction, Zhang’s oil paintings convey a visceral engagement with the surrounding natural environment while evoking the depth of human emotions. With a calligraphic execution, his bold and gestural brushstrokes demonstrate a unique physicality and spontaneity, which resonate with early influences of Abstract Expressionism and the Automatistes Movement. The luscious colors and rich textures dictate each composition by accentuating its inherent physicality, and in doing so, add a sculptural quality to the painting.
While the expressiveness of his painterly strokes make a definitive statement of their own, Zhang is not solely interested in creating the allure of texture; rather, it is part of his integral painting process to achieve an overarching state of equilibrium on canvas: between positive and negative spaces, the thick and thin, and contrasting color tones. In fact, the very act of breaking existing patterns requires great instinctive judgment and continually challenges the artist, in order to achieve a harmonious formulation of movement and thought. As such, Zhang engages in the ongoing dialogue to reinvent abstract painting by seeking to evoke a fundamental state of existence through an intimate encounter with nature, the cycle of life, and the plethora of human emotions.
Zhang He (b. 1963, Shenyang, China) obtained a Bachelors in painting from the Lu Xun Art Academy (Shenyang, China). He has been part of several international exhibitions in the last two decades, including the Florence Biennale (Italy), the National Gallery of Thailand (Thailand), Art Toronto, Art Palm Beach and Art Bejing. Zhang has been featured in numerous publications including: Vie des Arts, Canadian Art, and Parcours. He lives and works in Montreal and Beijing.
Select Solo and Group Exhibitions
2024 Odon Wagner Gallery, Toronto
2023 Galerie de Bellefeuille, Montreal
In Rhapsody, Jennifer Kostuik Gallery, Vancouver
2022 New Arrivals, Momentum Gallery, Nice, France
2022 25th Anniversary Exhibition, Jennifer Kostuik Gallery, Vancouver
2022 In It Together, Odon Wagner Contemporary, Toronto
2020 Pictura, Galerie Z Art Space, Montreal, QC
Floral Breeze, Galerie de Bellefeuille, Montreal, QC
2019 Odon Wagner Contemporary, Toronto ON
2016 Odon Wagner Contemporary, Toronto ON
2015 Z Art Space, Montreal, QC
2011 Gallery DeNovo, Ketchum, ID
International Biennale Artists Show, LuminArte Gallery, Dallas
Chinese Artist Contemporary Arts Exhibition, National Gallery, Bangkok, Thailand
International Art Meeting-Collective, Florence, Italy
2010 International Biennale Artist MIAMI, Nina Torres Fine Art Gallery, Miami, FL
ll Palaclo Gipsoteca Libero Museum Andreottl, Pescla, Italy
2010 John Scotti Jaguar-Land Rover: New Model Exhibition,
Montreal, QC
2009 Artbank Gallery, Beijing, China
2008 Luxun Art Institute, Shenyang, China
Galerie d’Este, Montreal, QC
Sunshine Art Museum, Beijing, China
Art Westmount, Montreal, QC
ShangHai High Noon Art & Culture Centre, Shanghai, China
2007 Odon Wagner Contemporary, Toronto, ON
Galerie Pangée, Montréal, QC
Galerie d’Este, Montreal, QC
2006 Elliott Louis Gallery Canadian Fine Art, Vancouver, BC
2003 HAN ART, Montreal, QC
2002 Gallery DeNovo, Ketchum, ID
Select Public and Private Collections
Tiffany & Co
LVMH Group
JSF Capital
Proment Corporation, Montreal, QC
Swatow Group, Montreal, QC
Fraser Milner Casgrain
La Coop Fédérée
IACO Intl Aviation Corp, Montreal, QC
Pfiffner Mgmt, Montreal, QC & Zurich
Lise Watier Intl, Montreal, QC, Paris
Monit International, Montreal, QC
Hot & Spicy Inc, Canada & China
L’EQUIPE Uomo Montreal, QC
Ta Yu association
Bertrand Deslauriers, Bureau des Avocats
Association du Nouveau Monde, Hong Kong
Studio Verstile ltee Inc. Montreal, QC
Graphic Design Studio Paul Tom Inc. Montreal, QC
Howard Szalavetz Properties Montreal, QC
Cormark Securities Inc, Toronto
Elements, Toronto, ON
HUI Architecte, Montreal, QC