Selected Commissions:

2016-2017 Commission of a large-scale oil painting, Romance of the Lantern Festival, 78” x 102”, for private collection in Houston, Texas

2014-2016 Public Art Commission of a large-scale oil painting,The Travels of Marco Polo, 270 x 440cm (approximately 108” x 180”), National Museum of China, Beijing, China

2012-2014 Public Art Commission of a large-scale oil painting, Zhang Qian on the Silk Road, 240 x 480cm (approximately 96” x 189”), Taihu International, Beijing, China

2010-2011 Commission of a large-scale oil painting, Thanksgiving, 1621, 72” x 120”, for private collection in Pasadena, California

Solo Exhibitions:

2021 I Love New York, The Arkell Museum, Canajoharie, New York

2010 Recent Works, Fletcher Gallery, Woodstock, New York 

2008 San Marino Gallery, Pasadena, California, Song of Endless Sorrow: the Saga of Yang Gui Fei
2007 Fletcher Gallery, Woodstock, New York, Summer
2005 Fletcher Gallery, Woodstock, New York, New Works
2004 Fletcher Gallery, Woodstock, New York Woodstock Landscapes
2003 Fletcher Gallery, Woodstock, New York, From the Garden
2001 Fletcher Gallery, Woodstock, New York, Light and Life
2000 Fletcher Gallery, Woodstock, New York, Works on Paper
1999 Fletcher Gallery, Woodstock, New York, New Works
1998 Fletcher Gallery, Woodstock, New York, New Chinese Paintings and Prints
1997 Loretta Goodwin Gallery, Birmingham, Alabama, New Views of Tibet 
1994 Imavision Gallery, Taipei, Taiwan, The Visual Touch
1993 James Cox Gallery, Woodstock, New York, The Universal Pageant
1992 Accomack Museum of Plimoth Plantation, Plymouth, Massachusetts. Portraits of a Colony
1991 China House of Art, New York, New York, The Year of Tibet
1988 Grand Central Art Galleries, New York, New York, A Universe of Humble Truth

Group Exhibitions:

2020 Oil Painters of America 29th National Exhibition, Hanna Gallery, Fredericksburg, Texas

2019 Oil Painters of America 2019 Eastern Regional, Beverly McNeil Gallery, Birmingham, Alabama

2019 The Art of New York, The Arkell Museum, Canajoharie, New York

2019 Oil Painters of America 28th National Exhibition, Illume Gallery, St. George, Utah

2017 Beijing 7th International Bienniale, National Art Museum of China, Beijing, China 

2016 5000 Years of Chinese Civilization History Art, National Museum of China, Beijing, China

2014 As Teacher, As Friend, Shanghai Public Library, Shanghai, China

2013 National Museum of China, Beijing, China, Zhonghua Wenming Lishi Ticai Meishu (Chinese Civilization Historical Subject Art)
2011-2012 Butler Institute of American Art, Youngstown, Ohio, American Chinese Oil Painting Artists League: Exhibition of Contemporary American Realism
2011-2012 Shanghai Museum of Art , Shanghai, China, Chinese Epic & Historical Painters
2011 National Arts Club, New York, New York, American Chinese Oil Painting Artists League: Exhibition of Contemporary American Realism
2006, 2005, 2004, 2003 Greenhouse Gallery, San Antonio, Texas, International Masters of Fine Art
1998 Greenhouse Gallery, San Antonio, Texas, Masters from China
1997, 1996, 1995 Quast Gallery, Taos, New Mexico, China to Taos
1991 Oriental Gallery, New York, New York, Chinese Artists in New York
1990 China House of Art, New York, New York, Two Artists Show
1989 Bishop Gallery, Allenspark, Colorado Realism from China
1987 Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts, Contemporary Realistic Painting from China
1987 The Museum of Modern Art, Santa Ana, California, Contemporary Realistic Painting from China
1986 Montgomery Gallery, San Francisco, California, Chinese Realism
1986 Grand Central Art Galleries, New York, New York, Realism from Chine
1985 Office of Governor Mario M. Cuomo, World Trade Center, New York, New York, Chinese Art
1984 Sixth National Art Exhibition, Beijing, China
1980 All-China Young Artists Exhibition, Beijing, China
1979 China’s 30th Anniversary Celebration Art Exhibition

Honors/Awards:

Award for Outstanding Composition and Technique, OPA 29th National Exhibition 2020

Award of Excellence, OPA Eastern Regional Exhibition 

Honor Award, 2011 International Portrait Competition, Portrait Society of America
Grand National Winner 1991/1992, Napa Valley Art National Competition
Commendation Award, “Outstanding Artist”, Beijing Municipal Government
Bronze Medal in the Sixth National Art Exhibition, Beijing, China, 1984. China’s National Art Museum acquired the painting, Preparing for Winter, for their permanent collection.

Second Place in the All–China Young Artists Exhibition, Beijing, China, 1980. China’s National Art Museum acquired the painting, We Were Young Then, for their permanent collection.

Third Prize in China’s 30th Anniversary Celebration Art Exhibition for Ah, Yellow River, 1979

Museum Collections:

The National Museum of China, Beijing, China (The Travels of Marco Polo)

New Britain Museum of American Art, New Britain, Connecticut (A Hero of Nanjing: The Courage of Minnie Vautrin)

The National Art Museum of China, Beijing, China (No!, We Were Young Then, and Preparing for Winter) 

The Citadelle Art Museum, Canadian, Texas (Zhuma and her Yak, and Dawn on the Hudson)

 

Instituional Collections:

Taihu International, Beijing, China, (Zhang Qian on the Silk Road)

The National Geographic Society, Washington, DC (FuHao’s Battle, Fall of the Shang, Last Rites (SanXingDui), and Return of Zhang Qian)

 

Selected Auctions:

2010 Christies, Hong Kong - Before the Long March

2008 China Guardian, Beijing, China - Ah, Yellow River

2006 Sotheby’s, New York - China’s Great Armada

 

Bibliography

 

Archived:

Asia Art Archive, (Materials of the Future: Documenting Contemporary Chinese Art from 1980-1990)

 

Books:

1. The Chinese Contemporary Distinguished Oil Painter: Zhang HongNian (Beijing: RenMin Meishu 2008).
2. HongNian Zhang & Lois Woolley, The Yin Yang of Painting (New York: Watson–Guptill, 2000)
3. Chen BoPing, Selected Works from the China Art Gallery Collection (Hangzhou: Zhejian Art Publishing House,1990) *
4. Tao YongBai, 1700 – 1985 Oil Painting in China (Nanjing: Jiangsu Art Publishing House, 1988) *
5. Joan Lebold Cohen, The New Chinese Painting, 1949–1976 (New York: Harry A. Abrams, 1987)

 

Periodicals: (click to download pdf)

1. Tao YongBai, “The Return of a Native: The Life and Art of Hongnian Zhang,” Meishu (Chinese Art) May 2014 p. 62-67*
2. Hongnian Zhang, “Painting the First Thanksgiving,” Fine Art Connoisseur May/June 2013 p. 75
3. Ross Rice, “The Art of History: Epic Painter HongNian Zhang,” Roll October 2010 cover feature, p. 8–13
4. Today’s Masters, “Three to Watch, Artists Making Their Mark” Fine Art Connoisseur November/December 2009 p. 45
5. Tao YongBai & Wu Jing, “Dreaming to be a Director on Canvas – An Interview with Zhang HongNian,” Meishu (Chinese Art) February 2008 p. 75–92*
6. G. Alexander Irving, “HongNian Zhang, An American Artist,” New Art International, Volume XI, Book Art Press 2006–2007 p. 102–114
7. Zhang Hongnian, “My Passion for Historical Painting,” People’s Daily July 20, 2007 p.16*
8. Salon d’Art Today’s Masters, “HongNian Zhang: A Cinematic Epic,” Fine Art Connoisseur January 2006 p. 55, 58–61
9. Dan Goodard, “Artist Escapes Political Canvas,” San Antonio Express News, November 5, 2003 p. 1G, 10G
10. Behind the Scenes, “Big is Beautiful: Paintings of China Fill a Broad Canvas,” National Geographic Magazine July 2003
11. Maggie Price, “Applying The Yin/Yang of Painting to Working in Pastels,” The Pastel Journal (cover feature) May/June 2002, p. 48–53
12. Rita V. Rogan, PhD, “Painting Through the Colors of Tragedy,” The Pastel Journal January/February 2002: p. 61–62
13. Pauline Uchmanowicz, “HongNian Zhang, Contemporary Master,” Guide January 2002 p. 32, 34, 36
14. Tresca Weinstein, “The World According to Zhang HongNian,” Northeast (cover feature) September 1998 p. 1, 32–33
15. Raymond Steiner, “Zhang HongNian at the Fletcher Gallery,” Art Times September 1998 p.9
16. Renee Samuels, “A Painter’s Long March,” Woodstock Times August 27, 1998 Cover feature p. 1, 10–11
17. Elizabeth Exler, “Glazing the Mood,”Artists Magazine July 1996 Cover feature p. 1, 48–53
18. RenYuan, “As Old as Mountains and Rivers, Painting is Life: Zhang HongNian’s Amorous Style of Figurative Painting” World Weekly September 17, 1995 p. S17*
19. Chen RenShan, “The Missing Star: Chinese Painter Zhang HongNian,” Da Ming Daily December 6, 1994 p.12*
20. Carol Zaloom, “Dances with Canvas,” Woodstock Times October 28, 1993, Cover feature, p. 1, 16
21. Chen YianNi, “The Experience: The Character of Zhang Hongnian,” Reader September 1993 p. 4–6*
22. Dakota Lane, “The Way of Zhang,” Woodstock Times April 1, 1993 p. 14–15
23. Cindy Nickerson, “Portraits of Pilgrims,” Cape Cod Times November 14, 1992, p. C1, C3
24. Zhu ChenGuang, “The Pastoral Spirit in Zhang Hongnian’s Painting”, MingBao June 1988 p.67–70*
25. Review: “Oils by Zhang HongNian at Grand Central Art Galleries,” Antiques and Arts Weekly, February 5, 1988
26. Pat Lambert, “Freedom Fuels a New Chinese Art,” The Wall Street Journal December 28, 1987
27. Michael Brenson, “Art: Works by 12 Chinese–Americans in Show,” The New York Times August 28, 1987
28. New York Reviews, “Realism From China, Grand Central,” Art News September 1986 p.130
29. Preview, “Realism From China,” Antiques and Arts Weekly May 9, 1986
30. Zhang Hongnian, “New Artist,” Liao Ning 1984 Inside Cover Feature *
31. “Contemporary Paintings,” Jiangsu Meishu 1983*
32. Zhang Hongnian, “My Heart Beats with the Pulse of My Homeland,” Beijing Art 1982*北京 艺术

 

Artwork Provided for Articles:

1. Robert D. Hormats, "Shape, Steer, and Sustain: A US Strategy for the New Global Economic Order" Atlantic Council Strategy Papers June 2016
2. "Halloween in Woodstock" Woodstock Times October 2014
3. Paul Smart, "Woodstock's Thanksgiving Embrace" Woodstock Times November 2013
4. Violet Snow, "Family's Free Thanksgiving Dinner" Woodstock Times November 2012
5. Frank Viviano, “China’s Great Armada,” National Geographic Magazine July 2005
6. Mike Edwards, “Han Dynasty: A Chinese Empire to Rival Rome,” National Geographic Magazine February 2004
7. Peter Hessler, “The New Story of China’s Ancient Past,” National Geographic Magazine July 2003
8. Peter Hessler, “Rising to Life: Treasures of Ancient China,” National Geographic Magazine October 2001
9. Erling Hoh, “China’s Great Enigma.” Archaeology September/October 2001

 

Teaching:

Instructor, Woodstock School of Art, Woodstock, New York 1992 – present

Professor, Fudan University, Shanghai Institute of Visual Art, Shanghai, China 2010-2017

Instructor, Graduate Program for Figurative Art, New York Academy of Art, New York, NY, 1998–2001

 

Organizations:

Chinese National Artists Association, 1979 – present
Oil Painting Research Association 1978 – present
The Contemporaries, Founding Member, 1978
Epic and Historical Painting Association of China – Founding Member
American Chinese Oil Painting Artists League – Honorary Member

Beijing Fine Art Academy, Professional Artist, Beijing, China 1974–1985

 

Education:                                                                                                   

City College of New York, New York, NY – Graduate Program, 1985–1989 

Central Art Academy, Beijing, China – Graduate Program, 1984 

Central Art Academy’s Affiliate High School, Beijing, China – 1969–1973  

 

Birthdate                                                                                                                            

1947 Nanjing, China

 

* Published in Chinese

 

Hongnian Zhang is a Chinese American oil painter who works in the Western academic tradition. Works by this gifted artist have been exhibited and acquired by museums, galleries, corporations and private collectors in the United States, China, Taiwan, and Japan.

 

Growing up in China, Mr. Zhang became accomplished in art at a young age. He was one of the top students at the highly selective and prestigious Central Art Academy’s Affiliated High School in Beijing. The instruction there was rigorous, paving the road for his future success. Unfortunately, the Cultural Revolution broke out and temporarily forestalled his art career. In 1970, Zhang and his classmates were sent to a forced labor camp in the remote countryside. He labored there for 4 years and creating art was prohibited.

 

In 1974, Hongnian returned to Beijing and soon became a rising star. As the youngest artist ever to be appointed to the Beijing Art Academy, he created large-scale oil paintings that caught the public’s attention and heart. His innovative oils helped develop “Scar Art”, an important artistic movement in China that examined the painful memories of the Cultural Revolution. Two of his “Scar Art” paintings, No!, and We Were Young Then, were acquired by China’s National Art Museum for their permanent collection. In 1979 he was elected to the All China Artists Association. He was the youngest artist at that time to have achieved the honor. In 1984, his painting, Preparing For Winter, one of the first oil paintings depicting Tibetan life, won the Bronze Medal. It was also acquired by the National Art Museum for their permanent collection. At the same time, Hongnian was accepted to the extremely selective Central Art Academy’s Master Degree program.

 

The following year, Zhang came to the United States to broaden his knowledge of Western art. In 1986, he was one of the five artists in New York’s Grand Central Art Galleries show, “Realism from China.” This ground- breaking exhibit introduced Chinese oil painting and sculpture to the Western world. Art News and CBS were among the media groups acknowledging the show with interviews and favorable reviews. Hongnian continued exploring Tibetan pastoral themes with his 1988 solo show, also at Grand Central.

 

In 1991, Hongnian moved to Woodstock, New York and continued creating realistic works. He expanded his subject matter to include Chinese and American historical paintings, and eventually contemporary American life. Several of his large-scale epic paintings on Chinese history have been featured in National Geographic Magazine. Four of these paintings were purchased by the National Geographic Society for their permanent collection.

 

In 2000, Zhang and his wife, artist Lois Woolley, co-wrote The Yin Yang of Painting. This book explains his philosophy and methods of painting. In 2008, China’s Ren-Min Mei-Shu Publishing Company selected Zhang as one artist in their Living Masters monograph series on Chinese Contemporary Distinguished Oil Painters. 

 

Hongnian Zhang has taught oil painting in America for many years, at both the graduate program of New York Academy and the Woodstock School of Art. Recently, Mr. Zhang accepted a position as Professor of Oil Painting at Fudan University’s Shanghai Institute of Visual Art. He is currently working with other Chinese artists to establish an Association for Epic and Historical Painting. He divides his time between China and the United States.

 

He now lives and paints full-time in Woodstock, New York.

 

For additional information: info@zhanghongnian.com