White Space Art Asia | Artist | White Space Art Asia

Zhao Ya Nan 赵亚南

Dreamlike, whimsical and borderline disturbing, Zhao Ya Nan perfectly captures the angst and struggles of the eighties generation in modern China. Go beyond the surface to interpret his dreamscapes and delve into a world seen through eyes of wonder, as well as fear and aspirations. Look carefully and what you think is a potted plant in the backdrop, might actually be in the shape of a nuclear mushroom.

Biography +

1981 Born in Shijiazhuang, Hebei Province
2008 Graduated from the Central Academy of Fine Arts, Beijing

Exhibition +

Solo Exhibitions

2013 “Flowers” organized by Line Gallery, Beijing
2009 “Moods” organized by Line Gallery, Beijing
2008 “Beautiful World 2008” organized by Line Gallery, Beijing
2007 “Beautiful World” organized by Line Gallery, Beijing
2007 “Go Ashore” Artist Village Gallery, Beijing
2006 “On the Way” – oil paintings by Zhao Yanan and Sun Lisha, Central Academy of Fine Arts

Joint Exhibitions

2014 Affordable Art Fair, F1 Paddock Club, Singapore
2014 Affordable Art Fair, HK Exhibition Centre, Hong Kong
2013 Hong Kong Salon, Kee Club, Hong Kong
2013 “Resonance” joint exhibition at the Arts House, Singapore
2013 Art Beijing 2013, National Agriculture Exhibition Centre, Beijing
2013 “Soul of Art” organized by Shijiazhuang Art Museum, Shijiazhuang
2013 “Starting Anew”, Dialogue Space, Beijing
2012 “Fragments of Years”, Chongwen Art Museum, Beijing
2012 “Near and Far” – Exhibition of young Asian artists, Line Gallery, Beijing
2012 Art Beijing 2012, National Agriculture Exhibition Centre, Beijing
2011 “Tribute to the Future”, Hi Art Store, Beijing
2011 “Whisper”, Summer exhibition by Line Gallery, Beijing
2011 2nd “Youth Power” Exhibition, Huan Tie Times Art Museum, Beijing
2010 ZHAI Guest Art Festival, Beijing Star Gallery, Beijing
2010 Art China Oil Painting Show, Huan Tie Times Art Museum, Beijing
2010 “Life and More Party”, Iberia Centre for Contemporary Art, Beijing
2008 “08 80” group exhibition of post-‘80s artists, Huang Art Space, Beijing
2008 “Individual Interpretations” group exhibition of three artists in Kuala Lumpur, Singapore and
Beijing
2008 May 4th International Youth Art Exhibition, Beijing
2007 Chinese Contemporary Art Document Exhibition “Future of Art”, Art Beijing topical show,
National Agriculture Exhibition Centre, Beijing
2007 “07 New Vision”, 4th National Exhibition of Outstanding Oil Paintings, He Xiangning Art
Museum, Beijing
2007 Academy Students’ Exhibition, Today Art Museum, Beijing
2007 Graduation Exhibition, Central Academy of Fine Arts, Beijing
2007 “My Story” exhibition of select works from the Central Academy of Fine Arts, Beijing
2006 “Too Beautiful” – New Year exhibition of young artists, 798 Zheng Dang Dai Gallery, Beijing
2006 2nd Photo Week exhibition, Central Academy of Fine Arts, Beijing
2005 Epson International Photography Exhibition, Japan
2004 “Beijing Impressions”, exhibition organized by Central Academy of Fine Arts

Notable Awards

2007 3rd Prize, Graduation Exhibition of the 2007 graduates, Central Academy of Fine Arts
2006 Best Composition Prize, Open House Exhibition, Central Academy of Fine Arts
2005 Best Work Prize, Epson International Photography Exhibition, Japan

Technique +

Zhao Ya Nan paints with oil on canvas, and his focus has been on improving his technique and spending more time on the details in his work. Considering that some of his pieces are two meters or more in size, this involves enormous dedication and energy to create rich visuals. It is common to find Zhao Ya Nan working twelve hours straight on a canvas.

The artist strives to create a vivid and self-contained universe on the canvas. There are often multiple threads and stories in the same painting and one of the keys to presenting this picture is a well-choreographed composition that takes seemingly disparate elements and fits them together on a canvas without seeming chaotic and random. The focus on detailing is an important part of how the artist creates an engaging world.

Press Release +
Videos +
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