Oil on canvas

40×30.5 cm. 15 3/4×12 in.

Signed in Chinese and dated on bottom right

LITERATURE
2004, Zhang Enli Human, too human, ShanghART, Shanghai, p.44
EXHIBITION
10-25 Apr 2004, Zhang Enli Human, too human, BizArt, Shanghai

PROVENANCE
ShanghART, Shanghai
Acquired directly by present important private Asian collector from the above

The Poetry of Unity Between Form and Self
Zhang Enli's Portraits of "Objects"

"In an era where contemporary Chinese art often burdens works with excessive external meanings, Zhang Enli's pieces—every stroke within them—resolutely refuse to offer straightforward declarations or manifestos. He invites the audience to return with him, to contemplate the essence of painting, and to follow his colours and lines as they slowly unravel the mundane yet magnificently depicted fragments of the world."
—— Gu Zheng, art critic

Zhang Enli is a leading figure in Chinese contemporary art and the first Asian artist to be represented by the world-renowned gallery Hauser & Wirth. His work consistently focuses on the act of painting itself, exploring the subtle hints of life behind everyday people, objects, and spaces. He has held solo exhibitions at prestigious venues such as the Royal Academy of Arts in London, the Power Station of Art in Shanghai, and the Museum of Contemporary Art in Taipei. His works are collected by major institutions worldwide, including the Centre Pompidou in Paris, the Tate in London, M+ in Hong Kong, and the UBS Art Collection in Zurich.

In his early career, Zhang Enli's works often depicted marginalized figures through striking imagery. However, after relocating his studio in 2002, he shifted his gaze from the external world to his personal life, using seemingly ordinary still life paintings to convey complex emotions tied to existence. The work Untitled, presented in the auction, was created during this pivotal turning point in 2002.

The Wrinkles of Existence

"Sometimes, the things that are hidden also leave traces as time passes."
—— Zhang Enli

In Untitled, Zhang Enli employs a thin, layered brushstroke technique reminiscent of ink wash painting to depict a crumpled piece of paper. This thin application of paint is one of his signature methods, creating a texture that evokes the enduring quality of murals. At first glance, the paper appears casually crumpled, but upon closer inspection, the lines and planes reveal the imprint of fingers pressing into it. A faint touch of red adds a dramatic and imaginative dimension to the piece.

Zhang Enli believes that "objects, like people, can also become portraits." Everyday items, through use, are imbued with "human personality." Through this poetic lens, he explores the philosophical unity between objects and ourselves. The crumpled paper in the painting seems relaxed, yet it appears to be slowly springing back to life. Is it being compressed or stretching out? This ambiguity not only carries complex emotions but also resonates with the viewer's state of mind at the moment of observation. Zhang Enli's goal is not realism but rather to evoke a sense of the "object's experience" and its value as a vessel for individual memory and lived experience. By infusing the paper with a human essence, he invites viewers to mentally unfold or crumple it, probing the true nature of "existence."

Price estimate:
HKD 200,000 – 300,000
USD 25,600 – 38,500