Sunday Matinee: A Talk on The Future of Chinese Contemporary Oil Painting with Tang Zhigang

Every adult has a child inside and every child has an adult facet. Artist Tang Zhigang understands and sees this in his observation of life, which is reflected in his satirical melodrama oil paintings. As one of the top Chinese contemporary artists, Tang’s paintings capture the attention of international auction houses and are priced in the seven figures range.

Like fellow painter Zhang Xiaogang, Tang originates from Yunnan. He was raised in a military family and became a soldier in the People’s Liberation Army in 1976. As he loved to paint since he was a child, he was naturally placed in charge of propaganda paintings and teaching art to children of the Cadre Academy. This may be why children with political backdrops are his favourite subjects.

Tang graduated from the PLA Institute of Fine Arts and pursued advanced studies in the Central Academy of Fine Arts. Currently, he is a teacher of oil painting at the Yunnan Institute of Fine Arts as well as the Chairman of Oil Painting Society of Yunnan. With studios in Kunming and Beijing, he has held numerous solo and group exhibitions worldwide.

With an increasing importance in the international art arena, what will the future of Chinese contemporary oil painting hold? Tang will share his insider's view on this and more. Discussions are welcome.

This artist talk is a unique opportunity for members and students to meet the master painter during Tang's brief visit to Hong Kong. It is made possible with the help of the Museum Society's member Dora Wu, a native of Yunnan and a devoted promoter of art, culture and education.