Zhang Donghui at Hunsand Space / Beijing

Artist(s): Zhang Donghui
Art space: Hunsand Space
Address: Hunsand Space | D-02, 798 West Street, 798 Art District, Beijing, China
Duration: 13/07/2024 - 31/08/2024

 

Zhang Donghui’s artistic practice and works may seem ordinary at first glance, but they are all closely related to his personal life experiences. He does not fabricate or create false issues about survival; instead, he documents the details of a real person’s life through a plain and simple approach.

Therefore, his creations do not generally start from the perspective of the collective or universality, nor are they led by concepts. Instead, they strictly follow his personal emotional experiences and realistic feelings – whether it is painting the stairwell of the 29-story building where he lives under movement restrictions during the pandemic, or retracing the steps of his lov ed ones after their passing. The motivation behind these works coincides with significant milestones in his life journey. To some extent, it’s less about creation and documentation, and more about commemorating and mourning an important personal experience.

Although these milestones carry a strong personal character, they also correspond to several major events that everyone inevitably faces in a general sense – even if you are caught unprepared when they happen and can only respond instinctively, they will have a subtle yet profound impact on your life for many years to come. The universality within this personal nature is precisely what makes Zhang Donghui’s works most touching and resonant. Even if you don’t know him personally, you can feel the very real “person” facing the uncertainties of life through his works.