Zhao Yang's Hybrid Paintings Merge Chinese Ink Traditions with Western Influences

Based in Beijing, Zhao Yang merges the elements of Chinese figurative ink painting with Western artistic traditions in his oil and acrylic creations. His artworks frequently depict obscured figures set against softly colored landscapes, embodying a clash between traditional aesthetics and contemporary concepts. One notable piece, Across the Sea, created in 2016 and exhibited at the Kuandu Museum of Fine Arts in Taipei, illustrates two silhouetted figures paddling a canoe toward a distant mountain, with the canoe motif appearing repeatedly. Another 2015 artwork, Man Holding Stone, features a robust male figure with horns in an abstract environment. Drawing from a decade of experience as an illustrator for a children's publisher in mainland China, Zhao incorporates symbols and metaphors from mythology, literature, and poetry. His recent exhibitions include shows at Shanghart Gallery in Shanghai, Kuandu Museum of Fine Arts at TNUA in Taipei, and Good Chance Space for Contemporary Art in Shenzhen. The artist aims to delve into human emotions, experiences, and history through straightforward painting techniques, inviting varied interpretations from viewers. This profile, curated by Jilly Ding Kit, was featured in the Summer 2017 edition of ArtReview Asia, in collaboration with K11 Art Foundation.