Artist: Guangchen Zhao (1961-2009)
Medium: Oil on canvas
Dimensions: 180 x 150 cm
Condition Report: The painting is in good condition.
Signature: Signed lower right

Description:
A striking vertical composition depicting a monochrome landscape. In the foreground, a calm body of water leads to a hill where a figure lies facedown under a moody, oppressive sky. Zhao’s triangular composition creates a static and almost frozen atmosphere, contrasted by the dynamic interplay of expressive textures and a wide range of tonal values. This poignant piece captures a sense of despair and introspection, emblematic of the artist's thematic focus on human impact and environmental degradation.

About the Artist:
Zhao Guangchen, born in Jilin in 1961, graduated from Northeast Normal University and emerged as a leading voice in contemporary Chinese art. His works often explore themes of global crises such as war, environmental collapse, and human suffering. Zhao participated in numerous exhibitions across Beijing, Hong Kong, New York, and Berlin, leaving a significant legacy in the Songzhuang contemporary art movement. Known for his emotionally charged works, Zhao's art combines utopian and dystopian imagery, evoking questions about humanity's future.

Notable exhibitions include:

Solo Exhibition (2007): "Tree of the Future," Beijing Century Art Gallery
Group Exhibitions:
"Pressure in the Age of Impermanence" (2006), Beijing
"Out of Songzhuang" (2007), Huantie Art Museum, Shanghai
Zhao's "The River" series presents haunting landscapes characterized by muted tones and desolate imagery, reflecting his deep concern for environmental degradation and the fate of humanity.

Provenance and Context:
"The River•2" is a continuation of Zhao's critically acclaimed "The River" series. The series explores the tension between hope and despair, depicting rivers transformed into barren wastelands. Through stark contrasts of light and dark, the painting resonates with Zhao’s enduring themes of fragility, loss, and the possibility of redemption.