Artwork Description

Title: K7. Flying Pigeons
Artist: Zhang Dali
Medium: Oil on Canvas
Dimensions: 37.3 x 69.3 in (94.7 x 176 cm)
Framing: Framed

Artwork Identification
K7. Flying Pigeons is a striking oil on canvas by Zhang Dali, one of China’s most influential contemporary artists. Measuring 94.7 by 176 cm and presented in a frame, the composition captures a symbolic tableau of flight and fragility—an enduring metaphor in Zhang's visual lexicon. Rendered in oil with tonal precision, the pigeons evoke themes of freedom, surveillance, and transience, central to the artist’s socially engaged practice.

Artistic Style and Influences
Zhang Dali’s artistic output spans graffiti, sculpture, photography, and painting, unified by a critical engagement with modern Chinese history and identity. This particular work exemplifies his turn toward painterly realism, while preserving his conceptual edge. The avian subject—delicate yet restless—echoes motifs from his Chinese Offspring and A Second History series, suggesting the precarious position of the individual amid collective narratives. His exposure to both classical Chinese and Italian Renaissance art contributes to the quiet elegance and layered symbolism of the scene.

Historical Context
K7. Flying Pigeons emerges from Zhang’s mature period, following decades of confrontation with the cultural and political structures of contemporary China. A formative voice in the 1990s graffiti movement, Zhang has evolved into a chronicler of societal transformation—from demolition zones to reimagined propaganda. The flying pigeons may be read in light of China's urban reinvention, displacement of communities, and the longing for personal freedom within controlled environments.

Provenance and Authenticity
Provenance documentation can be provided upon contact.

Condition and Conservation
K7. Flying Pigeons is in excellent condition. The canvas remains taut and the oil paint shows no signs of deterioration or restoration. The frame is stable and professionally executed. No visible damage, discoloration, or surface irregularities are present.

Artistic Significance
This work is a notable example of Zhang Dali’s shift from politically explicit street interventions to more contemplative, symbol-driven studio painting. K7. Flying Pigeons encapsulates the artist’s unique ability to distill collective experience into personal, poetic imagery. As interest in socio-politically engaged Asian contemporary art continues to rise, works like this hold significant relevance and enduring appeal within both institutional and private collections.