Zao Wou-Ki
Works
biography
17.02.71 - 12.05.76, 1971-76
Zao Wou-Ki was born in Beijing (then “Peking”) and studied calligraphy and painting at the School of Fine Arts in Hangzhou. He moved to Paris in 1948 where he lived out most of his remaining life. Zao worked primarily in oils, ink, and watercolor but also experimented with engraving and lithography. Zao is famously known for his synthesis between Eastern calligraphy and European Art Informel; a unique style defined by contrasting colors, intense linework and lyrical abstraction. His legacy of more than seventy years presents a life of experimentation and negotiation between Chinese and Western artistic traditions. Zao is a master of the post-war era artists and among the highest-selling Chinese painters of his generation.
Exhibitions
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Ghosts of Empires II
Curated by Larry Ossei-Mensah 16 Sep - 22 Oct 2022 LondonBen Brown Fine Arts is pleased to announce Ghosts of Empires ll, an exhibition curated by Ghanaian-American curator and cultural critic Larry Ossei-Mensah. Taking place at Ben Brown Fine Arts London (16 September – 22 October 2022), the exhibition seeks to explore the intersections, overlaps, and dissonance between the Black Atlantic and Asia Imperialist Trade routes and brings together an extraordinary group of contemporary artists hailing from African and Asian diasporas.Read more
This seminal exhibition features the work of Hurvin Anderson, Adam de Boer, Alvaro Barrington, Delphine Desane, Theaster Gates, Jeanne F. Jalandoni, Tidawhitney Lek, Chris Ofili, Fadekemi Ogunsanya, Maia Cruz Palileo, Miguel Àngel Payano Jr., Paul Anthony Smith, Zao Wou-Ki and Livien Yin. -
Ghosts of Empires
22 Mar - 14 May 2022 Hong KongThis exhibition seeks to explore the intersections, overlaps, and dissonance between the Black Atlantic and Asia Imperialist Trade routes and brings together an extraordinary group of contemporary artists hailing from African and Asian diasporas.Read more
This seminal exhibition features the work of Hurvin Anderson, Adam de Boer, Delphine Desane, Theaster Gates, Jeanne F. Jalandoni, Chris Ofili, Fadekemi Ogunsanya, Maia Cruz Palileo, Miguel Angel Payano Jr., Paul Anthony Smith, Livien Yin and Zao Wou-Ki.
News
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GHOSTS OF EMPIRES II: An Interview
Shaquille Heath interviews Larry Ossei-Mensah for Juxtapoz October 5, 2022While contemporary events can often feel uniquely monumental, it is wise to remember the old adage “history is cyclical.” This is the foundation that tethers...Read more -
Larry Ossei-Mensah Curates Show in London on the Afterlife of Empires
Somers Gerson for Cultbytes October 2, 2022The legacy of colonialism has deeply affected our perception of the world and discourse on power, politics, and capital. However, as Kwasi Kwarteng points out...Read more -
This exhibition confronts the legacy of British colonialism
Zara Afthab for DAZED September 29, 2022Curated by Larry Ossei-Mensah, Ghosts of Empire II seeks to provoke conversation and questioning around British imperialism “I want everyone who visits the exhibition to...Read more -
Diverse Voices: The Changing Face of Curating
Victoria Woodcock for elephant September 26, 2022Ossei-Mensah’s current show at Ben Brown Fine Arts in London’s Mayfair centres on artists from African and Asian diasporas. Titled Ghosts of Empires II (on...Read more
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MUSE SEE: Ghosts of Empires II at Ben Brown Fine Arts | London
Artforum September 14, 2022Read more -
Ben Brown Fine Arts to Present a Group Show Curated by Ghanaian-American Curator and Critic Larry Ossei-Mensah
Balasz Takac for WIDEWALLS September 13, 2022This September, Ben Brown Fine Arts will present Ghosts of Empires II, a sequel to the project which was shown at the gallery earlier this...Read more -
GHOSTS OF EMPIRES II, AN EXHIBITION CURATED BY GHANAIAN-AMERICAN CURATOR AND CULTURAL CRITIC LARRY OSSEI-MENSAH
Mark Westall for FAD Magazine August 3, 2022Ben Brown Fine Arts to open Ghosts of Empires ll, an exhibition curated by Ghanaian-American curator and cultural critic Larry Ossei-Mensah.Read more -
History and Legacy Reconsidered in the Now: Ghosts of Empires II at Ben Brown Fine Arts London
1883 Magazine July 22, 2022If you have visited Ben Brown Fine Arts in Mayfair recently, you will have been lucky enough to catch the truly wondrous Les Lalanne: Makers...Read more
