ZHANG HUAN

One of the most important and innovative artists in contemporary China, Zhang Huan (b. 1965) brought the burgeoning Chinese art scene to international attention in the 1990s with a series of taboo-breaking performances. His artwork continues to explore the tragedies of the human condition and the spiritual essence of Buddhism in a range of media that includes photography, painting and monumental sculpture. Zhang's work has been exhibited in the world's most prestigious museums and international exhibitions, including the 1999 Venice Biennale, the 2001 Yokohama Triennial and the 2002 Whitney Biennial. This monograph is the first complete analysis of the artist's entire career, from his beginnings in the communal art scene of Beijing's East Village to his breakthrough in New York and his return to Shanghai, where he now runs a studio with over 40 assistants.