Zhao Gang 赵刚 China, b. 1961

Zhao Gang (b. 1961, Beijing) made his artistic debut as a member of the Stars Group, one of the first avant-garde artist groups to open the era of contemporary art in China, when he was just 18 years old. Shortly thereafter he pursued formal art education in Europe then New York, where he lived for over two decades, developing a diverse body of work as his perspective became distinctively international. Over the course of his wanderings, Zhao Gang has been featured alongside prominent Chinese painters Liu Wei and David Diao; participated in PERFORMA, the Guangzhou Triennial, and the Yokohama Triennial. His recent solo exhibitions include UCCA, Suzhou Museum, and an upcoming exhibition at Christian Nagel Gallery, Berlin. Zhao's recent work focuses on the entanglement of his personal past with Chinese history through his unique position as native and newcomer.