ZHANG YUNYAO
The process of making felt painting is my response to memory and its waning, which proves the unique temporal nature of painting itself.
—— Zhang Yunyao
Galerie Marguo just launched in Paris on 19 October 2020 by Vanessa Guo, formerly Director of Hauser & Wirth’s activity in Asia, and Paris art dealer, Jean-Mathieu Martini. It is inaugurated with an exhibition of new works by Shanghai-based emerging artist Zhang Yunyao, which runs through 30 January 2021.
Zhang Yunyao has long worked with graphite and pastel on a unique fabric-like medium, felt, as a way to experiment with and expand beyond the traditional idea of drawing, constituting what the artist calls “felt drawings.”
The textured surface of these “felt drawings” are covered with tiny knots of fabric fiber as a result of the artist’s hands repeatedly applying and rubbing graphite and pigments into the felt—a lengthy, labor-intensive and almost spiritual process that has come to define the core of Zhang’s artistic practice. The result is often an imagery of contrasting colors and so full of texture and depth that the audience almost wants to physically interact with it.
Zhang Yunyao said: "The process of making felt painting is my response to memory and its waning, which proves the unique temporal nature of painting itself. At a close distance one can tell that the surface is formed by the fine blending and accumulation of graphite and pastel over time. The materiality of the surface texture in a way corresponds to the result of time lapsing, but differs from the complicated and multi-layered process of manually developing photographs in darkroom."
The eighteen “felt drawings” on view in the gallery’s 1,200 square feet space vary in subject matters from the grand narrative with frequent references to western classical sculptures and Greek mythologies to the personal stories touching upon intimate almost fetish themes. However different they may seem, the subject matters are simply Zhang’s objective studies of human bodies, gestures and emotions.
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ZHANG YunyaoFloating II, 2020Pastel on felt217 x 200.5 cm
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ZHANG YunyaoPortrait, 2019Graphite on felt83.6 x 59.1 cm (framed)
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ZHANG YunyaoStudy in Figures (AVDATIA) , 2019Graphite, acrylic and pastel on felt183.5 x 143 cm
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ZHANG YunyaoStudy in Figures (VIRILITAS), 2019Graphite and pastel on felt250 x 190 cm
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ZHANG YunyaoStudy in Figures (PROVIDENTIA), 2019Graphite and pastel on felt250 x 190 cm
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ZHANG YunyaoStudy in Figures (ALACRITAS), 2019Graphite and pastel on felt250 x 190 cm
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ZHANG YunyaoA Pair of Hollow, 2020Graphite on felt37.5 x 51 cm
39.7 x 52.7 cm (framed)
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ZHANG YunyaoA Pill, 2020Graphite on felt37.5 x 51 cm
39.7 x 52.7 cm (framed) -
ZHANG YunyaoA Circle, 2020Graphite on felt37.5 x 51 cm
39.7 x 52.7 cm (framed) -
ZHANG YunyaoReincarnation, 2019Graphite on felt167 x 250 cm
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ZHANG YunyaoEmotion Study (quadriptych), 2020Graphite on felt40 x 30 cm
42 x 31.5 cm (framed) -
ZHANG YunyaoEmotion Study (quadriptych), 2020Graphite on felt40 x 30 cm
42 x 31.5 cm (framed) -
ZHANG YunyaoEmotion Study (quadriptych), 2020Graphite on felt40 x 30 cm
42 x 31.5 cm (framed) -
ZHANG YunyaoEmotion Study (quadriptych), 2020Graphite on felt40 x 30 cm
42 x 31.5 cm (framed)
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ZHANG YunyaoFate, 2016Pastel on felt163 x 200 cm
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ZHANG YunyaoV, 2020Graphite on felt35 x 50 cm
37 x 52 cm (framed) -
ZHANG YunyaoM, 2020Graphite on felt40 x 30 cm
42 x 32 cm (framed)
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Exhibition walkthrough with Yan Pei-Ming and Zhang Yunyao
Two generations of Shanghai-born artists were in conversation about art and life in France at Galerie Marguo. Our inaugural exhibition Zhang Yunyao closes this Saturday 30 January. Last chance to... Read more -
Video: Zhang Yunyao Exhibition Walkthrough
2-minute video walking you through the show Walk through the exhibition virtually in this short video and get up close with some of the artworks in the show. Read more
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Video: Zhang Yunyao Artist Film
From Shanghai to Paris, a 3-minute short flim into artist's world Step into Zhang Yunyao's temporary studio in Paris and see how the city has shaped his artistic journey, leading to a new body of works created during the time of... Read more -
Video: Zhang Yunyao Exhibition Trailer
30-second trailer of the artist's first solo exhibition in Europe Step into Zhang Yunyao's temporary studio in Paris and see how the city has shaped his artistic journey, leading to a new body of works created during the time of... Read more