Composition III

About Composition III

This contemporary abstract oil painting is inspired by colours found in nature.

Over the last two decades, Zhang He has pursued his own artistic vision—abstract expression inspired by both the Automatistes movement in Quebec and abstract masters such as Helen Frankenthaler. He paints intuitively with the canvas placed flat on the floor. In this piece, Composition III, the oil paint is applied in thick, layered gestural strokes that give the appearance of being almost sculptural in nature. Rich colours define these lush passages—of chartreuse, blues, golden yellow, orange, pinks, greens, white, black and earth tones so vibrant they seem to pulsate with energy.

“In my work I seek to capture fleeting moments of beauty throughout various forms, inspired by nature, the changing seasons, human relationships, and all living beings (from animals to plants). These transient moments to me convey a sense of timelessness and universal truth shared by all, through our desire to cling onto and remember the present.” Zhang He

“Energy. The source of all things, material and immaterial. If energy (chi) has a signature, it could resemble the abstract calligraphic dance of paint in the hands of Zhang He. If the creative principle or force behind nature were potentially an algorithm, a program for infusing the formless with structure, then its designer’s autograph might resemble the vibrant paths of these bold images.”
Donald Brackett, Curator and Writer

Zhang He was born in Shenyang, China in 1963. His work has been shown in several international exhibitions in Canada, the U.S., France, Italy, Thailand and China. In 1997, he left China for Vancouver. His studio is currently in Montreal.