Fragments - Gao Zengli's Oil Paintings
The paintings of Gao Zengli are fragments of his memories reconstructed. They are illusory imageries suspended in his mind. What, visually, appear like portraits of some famous personalities such as the last Emperor of the Qing Dynasty, Pu-yi, and Chairman Mao are, in fact, mere symbols employed by Gao for his artistic expression.
Born in Lanzhou, Gansu Province in 1964, Gao finished his art training in the Shandong Academy of Fine Art and later in the National Academy of fine Art in Paris, France. In recent years, he splits his time working between Paris and Beijing. The dissimilarity of the life-style of these two cities has coerced him to put in proper prospective the question of identity as well as deepening his appreciation of the Chinese culture.
Gao loves to deploy his art from a historical standpoint, as the figures whom he has used in his works usually bring with them specific values, experiences, sentiments as well as contrasting feelings. Using characters such as Pu-yi, Mao and Deng Xiaoping as his symbols, Gao hopes to tap into the reservoir of emotions embedded in the modern history of China.
"I like the environs of darkness and express myself in black and grey colours. The grey scale between black and white is useful in reflecting memories of the past as I strive to discover sunshine amidst darkness," he commented.
1964
Born in Lanzhou, Gabsu Province, China
1985
Graduated from Shandong College of Arts and Crafts, Shandong, China
2000
Finished Study in Paris National Academy of Fine Arts, Paris, France
Selected Solo Exhibitions
2015
Gao Zengli, Galerie Ariel Sibony, Paris, France
2014
Remnants, Art Beatus Gallery, Hong Kong
2012
Gao Zengli's Solo Exhibition at Hania Bailly, Swiss
Gao Zengli·True Shadow, Found Museum, Beijing, China
2011
Fighting: Gao Zengli Solo Exhibition, Found Museum, Beijing, China
2010
The Wall-Gao Zengli Solo Exhibition, Sunshine Art Museum, Beijing, China
2009
A l'ombre du réel, Galerie Albert Benamou, Paris, France
The Real Shadow·Gao Zengli Solo Exhibition, Zhuzao Art Gallery, Beijing, China
2008
Fragmemts·Art Beatus, Hong Kong, Hong Kong
Gao Zengli·Le dernier Empereur, Galerie Albert Benamou, Paris, France
2007
Research of Ancient and Modern·Gao Zengli Solo Exhibition, Modern Art Gallery, Taichung, Taiwan
Gao Zengli Solo Exhibition, Shanghai Duolun Museum of Modern Art, Shanghai, China
Traces of Time·Gao Zengli Solo Exhibition, Jingdu Art Center, Beijing, China
2006
Orange Park Exhibition Hall of Luxembourg Museum-Invitation Solo Exhibition, Paris, France
Icons, Art Beatus Gallery, Hong Kong
2005
Guangdong International Art Fair, French Solo Exhibition Booth, Guangzhou, China
2001
France Autumn Salon-Gao Zengli Invitation Solo Exhibition, France
2000
La Defense Arch 36th Exhibition Center-Gao Zengli Solo Exhibition, Paris, France
Selected Group Exhibitions
2014
Asia Hotel Art Fair Hong Kong, Hong Kong
2012
Shots·Galerie Albert Benamou, Paris, France
2011
SH Contemporary Art Fair 2011, by Soemo Fine Arts, Beijing, China
Art Fair Hong Kong 2011, Hong Kong
Unrelated, Modern Art Gallery, Taichung, Taiwan
2009
Art Fair Hong Kong 2009, Hong Kong
Art Paris, Paris, France
China International Gallery Exposition, Beijing, China
2008
Art Paris, Burnham, Paris, France
Artbeatus Gallery, Hong Kong
Shanghai International Contemporary Art Fair, Shanghai, China
Art Seasons Gallery, Beijing, China
Ongoing China, Moscow, Russia
2007
Shanghai Duolun Museum of Modern Art, Shanghai, China
Taipei Art Fair, Taiwan
Art Beijing, Beijing, China
Taiwan Modern Gallery, Taiwan
Jam Jar gallery, Dubai
MEYER-LE BIHAN Gallery, Paris
ADLER Gallery, District 8 Paris
2006
Jingdu Art Center, Beijing, China
GORI Foundation for Contemporary Art, Florence, Italy
Melbourne Art Fair, Australia
Artbeatus Gallery, Hong Kong
Loft Gallery, Paris, Hong Kong, Barcelona
France ARCURIAL, 20th Century Chinese Art Auctions, Paris
CRILLON Hotel-Eagle Salon, Paris, France
MEYER-LE BIHAN Gallery, Paris, France
Provence Culture Art Exhibition Center-Chinese Culture Year in Provence City, France
2004
The Thousand Art Festival, Champagne-Ardenne, France
2003
Mark 2000 Modern Art Salon, District 16 Paris, France
BRAUX STE COHIERE Castle, the 33rd Champagne-Ardenne Art Festival, France
Metz Art Expo, Metz, France
Europe Gallery, District 6 Paris, France
2002
Europe Gallery, District 6 Paris, France
Mark 2000 Modern Art Salon, District 16 Paris, France
Nimes International Modern Art Expo, Nimes, France
Essonne Biennial, France
Strasbourg Modern Art Expo, France
2001
ARCANE17 Gallery, District 8 Paris, France
France Art Foundation-TAYLOR Gallery, District 9 Paris, France
Nimes International Modern Art Expo, Nimes, France
ARCANE17 Gallery, District 8 Paris, France
CANDORCET Gallery, Prance
2000
ARCANE17 Gallery, District 8 Paris, France
Awarded With the 1st Prize in Paris Autumn Salon, Paris, France
Louvre 2000 Salon, Paris, France
Won the 1st Prize in 2000 VIRY CHATILLON Modern Art Salon, VIRY CHATILLON, France