Artwork Description

Title: Flying
Artist: Zhang Dali
Date: 2016
Medium: Oil on canvas
Dimensions: 78.7 x 59.1 in (200 x 150 cm)

Artwork Identification
Flying is a commanding oil on canvas by renowned Chinese contemporary artist Zhang Dali, measuring 200 by 150 cm. The work exemplifies his deft handling of scale and composition, capturing a powerful narrative through dynamic brushstrokes and a compelling interplay of light and shadow. The piece evokes a profound sense of movement and liberation, reflecting Zhang’s ongoing exploration of identity and transformation within urban and social contexts.

Artistic Style and Influences
Zhang Dali’s distinctive visual language fuses the immediacy of street art with sophisticated painterly techniques. Emerging from Beijing’s graffiti scene of the 1990s, his work integrates politically charged themes with a modernist sensibility. Flying reflects this synthesis through its gestural execution and conceptual depth, bridging Eastern and Western artistic traditions and drawing from movements such as Neo-Expressionism and contemporary socio-political art.

Historical Context
Created in the aftermath of China’s rapid urbanization and social change, Flying resonates as a poignant reflection on themes of freedom, displacement, and the human condition. Zhang’s art often interrogates the impact of modernization on individual and collective identity, making this work emblematic of the tensions and hopes experienced in contemporary Chinese society. His time abroad and return to Beijing inform the cosmopolitan and critical stance evident in this painting.

Provenance and Authenticity
Provenance documentation can be provided upon contact.

Condition and Conservation
The painting is in excellent condition, with no visible damage or signs of restoration. The surface maintains vibrant color saturation and well-preserved texture.

Artistic Significance
Flying stands as a significant testament to Zhang Dali’s influential role in contemporary Chinese art. The painting encapsulates his innovative melding of street culture and fine art, addressing urgent social narratives with profound emotional intensity. Collectors and institutions prize such works for their cultural resonance and pioneering contributions to global contemporary art discourse.