Ceramic Dialogues - Manchuria to San Francisco

Wanxin Zhang: California Artist, Too!
Ceramic Dialogues - Manchuria to San Francisco

When:  Fri., Dec. 14, 2007 – Sun., March 2, 2008
Where:  Duncan and Hallowell Galleries
Conversation with the Artist: Fri., Dec. 14, 4:15 pm

Photographic images of Wanxin Zhang’s ceramic sculpture has been featured in an article by Arthur Coleman Danto in the current issue, Volume 15 Number 2 of the periodical, Ceramic Sculpture, subtitled Toward the Monumental. The article examines Barnett Newman’s statement “that man can be or is sublime in his relation to his sense of being aware.” Danto takes this to mean that scale awakens this very sense of self-awareness in relationship to the scale of the viewer and that a work of art gives man a sense of place- that in standing in front of a work of art gives the viewer a sense of one’s own scale–“that a sense of place not only has a mystery but has that sense of metaphysical fact.” According to Danto, “it is the heroic sublime that gives meaning and drama to visionary ceramics” – that Wanxin Zhang’s visionary ceramic sculpture stands outside the usual forms of life created by the utilitarian ceramicist.

Since 1974, there have been four pits of warriors discovered and excavated in Xian, China. Through these excavations of the burial compound of China’s first emperor, Qin Shi Huang, hundreds of nearly life-sized individual Terra-cotta soldiers have shown the world a splendid ancient Chinese civilization. Years ago, as Wanxin Zhang first viewed the thousands of armed soldiers at the Qin Terracotta Army Museum in Xian he was shocked by the vast scale and individuality of each ceramic soldier – “Who were they? Where did they come from? Why are they standing there? Even though many years have passed, the first impression I received of the pieces is still in my mind.” Now Zhang’s own ceramic sculpture, first inspired by these other warriors, have been imbued with his modern sensibility, imagination and sly humor. His work represents a contemporary artist’s consideration of human history and the representation of contemporary culture – each figure is a re-built assembly of the characteristics of a modern people who move between the past and the present. Each dynamic ceramic figure is a cross between the traditional mystery of Eastern art and the contemporary vitality of the modern world.

The Fresno Art Museum’s current exhibition of figurative ceramic sculpture by Chinese-born, San Francisco artist Wanxin Zhang conveys his astute and sensitive knowledge of trans-cultural values and his personal identification with the Bay Area figurative tradition. Adapting his impressive standing ceramic “portrait” sculptures of generic Chinese personages with an immediately identifiable signature of the “lunette” eyeglasses that are Zhang’s trademark, he has incorporated both the style and qualities of Xian’s historic Chinese terra cotta tomb warriors and guardians along with the innovative techniques used by established Bay Area sculptors. Zhang’s creative process in similar to the original processes used in the creation of the 2,000-year-old Qin soldiers. Made from clay, the figures are hand-built using molding and slab construction techniques. Once the figure is constructed, it is cut horizontally into segments and fired. Zhang may use the original color of the clay body as an element of the work or may add dry pigment to alter the color. Glazes may be applied and the segments fired again, and then reassembled into the greater than six-foot high sculptures. The predominantly matte surfaces are highlighted with high gloss glazing, symbolically representing ideas of the past and the present in the physical realm of the sculpture. A tension is created between the considerations of past and present, time and place, creating a dynamic relationship between Asian and Western cultures.

Born in 1961 in Changchun, China, Zhang was educated in China at the Art School of Jilin and the Institute of Fine Art of LuXun. In the United States, he earned an MFA in Sculpture from the Academy of Art College in San Francisco. His work has been exhibited in many galleries and museum shows and was awarded the prestigious, New York based, Joan Mitchell Foundation Grant. Zhang’s work is represented by the Bernice Steinbaum Gallery of Miami and by the Triangle Gallery of San Francisco. Currently Wanxin Zhang teaches sculpture at the Academy of Art University in San Francisco.

Exhibits Underwriters

We appreciate the generosity of the following organizations and individuals for sponsoring the Winter Exhibitions at FAM:

  • James and Coke Hallowell
  • Dumont Printing
  • Electric Motor Shop
  • Bonner Family Foundation
  • Women's League
  • Harriett R. Stratton Trust
  • Mrs. Jane Cleave