Oil on canvas

130 × 170 cm. 51 1/8 × 66 7/8 in.

Titled, dated and signed in Chinese on the reverse
EXHIBITED
29 Aug – 31 Oct 2020, Spectacle - Group Exhibition: Hong Lin, Mao Xuhui, Zhao Meng, Zeng Jianyong, Zhang Yingnan, Soka Art, Beijing

PROVENANCE
Soka Art, Beijing
Private Collection, Asia

Condensing the Unfinished Aspirations of the Reality and Energy Pertaining Contemporary Times
Night Breeze by Zhang Yingnan

Born in Shaanxi in 1981, Zhang Yingnan graduated from the Oil Painting Department of Xi'an Academy of Fine Arts in 2005. He is a shining star of Chinese contemporary art. His works contain high level of realism, surreal atmospheres that are full of juxtaposing loneliness and glimmers of hope; dualistic space of openness and reticence, arousing the sentiments deep within the viewers' hearts. In 2017, his work was acquired by the famous musician and collector Yao Chien. Subsequently his work was featured in the film poster of “My Dream Art” produced by Yao. Zhang Yingnan's works were sold out at Art Basel Hong Kong in 2020 and 2021. In recent years, Zhang Yingnan's works have achieved great results in auctions. For example, Song of Sunset was sold for over one million Hong Kong dollars in last fall auction, proving that his works are highly sought after.

Night Breeze creates vacant space and features the motif employed by Zhang Yingnan since 2016– "two gates." Half-opened in the piece, the two gates reveal the mountain path that extends to the scenery connecting mountains and the sea. The image bridges the confined human-made space with the boundless nature, inviting the viewers to explore the scenery beyond the small slit of the gates. The blue sky is portrayed with pink gleaming clouds, injecting a touch of warmth into the cool atmosphere of the painting. Then green grass along the coast and sand covering the uneven pathway sways and transfigures according to the wind. While the two gates are open, the pathway is blocked by two steel stanchions, creating an interesting contradiction that simultaneously conveys “welcome” and “no entry”. Zhang Yingnan once stated, “Modern society is becoming more convenient with rapidly evolving technologies. We have mobile phones and social media, but we are drifting apart, the distance growing non-stop.”The alienated interpersonal relationships and living status of contemporary people has been a constant subject of exploration for Zhang Yingnan. The theme is manifested in Night Breeze. The gates in the piece are an extended metaphor of two individuals depicting solitude and yearning to open-up while fearing hurt, resulting to the natural humanly instinct of self-defense, explicating the conflicting psychological state of contemporary people. The courage to tear down one's walls would allow one to fully immerse in the glorious night breeze. The piece is a motto encouraging one's deep musings.

Price estimate:
HKD: 200,000 - 300,000
USD: 25,500 - 38,200

Auction Result:
HKD: 1,140,000