Introduction

Zhang Enli was born in Jilin province in 1965. He graduated from Wuxi Technical University, Arts and Design Institute in 1989. Zhang currently is living and working in Shanghai. Mundane objects and the traces of daily life activities are the dominant depicted subjects in Zhang Enli’s works. The muted tones and loose washes of paint intertwine with the expressive lines and curves that make the objects seem removed as if occupying a liminal reality where only the essence of the object is portrayed on the canvas. In his series of installations, known as Space Paintings, he creates the immersive space that suspends the audience into the void of time and space by incorporating with environment, history, and personal experience. Zhang Enli’s depiction on the prosaic aspects of contemporary life leads viewers to think about the proposition of existence.

Zhang Enli’s solo exhibition held in numerous important institutions, including Long Museum, Chongqing (2021); Power Station of Art, Shanghai (2020); Hauser & Wirth, Zurich, Switzerland (2020); Xavier Hufkens, Brussels, Belgium (2019); Galleria Borghese, Rome, Italy (2019); K11 Art Foundation, Shanghai (2019); Royal Academy of Arts, London, U.K. (2018); Hauser & Wirth, New York, U.S.A. (2018); Firstsite, Colchester, England (2017); Moca, Taipei (2015); ShanghART, Shanghai (2015); Hauser & Wirth, London, U.K. (2014); K11 Art Foundation, HK (2014); Villa Croze, Genoa, Italy (2013); Institute of Contemporary Arts, London, U.K. (2013); Shanghai Art Museum, Shanghai (2011); Minsheng Art Museum, Shanghai (2010); and Ikon Gallery, Birmingham, U.K. (2009), a presentation which travelled to Kunsthalle Bern, Berne, Switzerland (2009) etc.

His works also featured in group exhibitions, such as, UCCA Edge, Shanghai (2021); Fondazione Prada, Italy (2018), Museum of Modern Art Antwerp, Belgium (2018); 1st Antarctic Biennale, Antarctica (2017); Centre Pompidou, Paris, France (2016); PAC-Milan Museum of Contemporary Art, Italy (2015); Lehmbruck Museum, Duisburg, Germany (2015); Tate Modern, London, U.K. (2015); Yokohama Triennale, Japan (2014); Vancouver Art Gallery, Canada (2014); Contemporary Art Museum of the Rubell Family Collection, Miami, U.S.A. (2013); Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery, U.K.(2013); Kochi-Muziris, Kochi, India (2012); The First Chinese Oil Painting Biennial, Instituto Paranaense de Arte, Curitiba, Brazil (2011); The Eighth Gwangju Biennale, Korea (2010); The 7th Shanghai Biennale, Shanghai (2008); Villa Manin-Centre for Contemporary Art Passariano, Italy (2006) etc.

Zhang Enli's works are in numerous museum collections, including K11 Art Foundation, Hong Kong; Royal Academy of Arts, London, U.K.; Galleria Borghese, Rome, Italy; Centre Pompidou, Paris, France; M+Collection, Hong Kong; Long Museum, Shanghai; Rubell Family Collection, Miami, U.S.A.; How Art Museum, Shanghai; Yuz Foundation, Jakarta, Indonesia; SIFANG Art Museum, Nanjing; LVMH, France; Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery, U.K.; Franks Suss Collection, London, U.K.; Tate Modern, London, U.K.; The UBS Art Collection, Zürich, Switzerland; DSL Collection, Paris, France; Shanghai Art Museum, Shanghai