In the Chinese art scene of the early 1990s a group of artists known as the “New Generation”, of whom Zhang Yajie was one of the leading innovators, were writing a new chapter in art history. In the characters and scenes he captured in the streets and alleys and in his immediate environment, the passive demeanor of his characters in their chaotic settings well encapsulated the atmosphere of dramatic change at that time. The appearance of the characters and the way they are crammed into the space in each scene reveal how the core characteristic of Zhang Yajie’s work is how his brushstrokes dynamically blend graffiti and realistic modeling, revealing a vulnerable but consummate sense of candor in dealing with the picture on the canvas. Another series of black and white portraits uses the exaggerated and distorted forms like those created by the lens of the close-up photographer, and the facial expressions and demeanor of his characters reveal a heightened sense of wonder, thereby creating a portrayal of the souls remaining of people caught in those unique times.
Zhang Yajie, “Tap #3″, oil on canvas, 100 x 76 cm, 2009 张亚杰，《水龙头3》，布面油画，100 x 76 cm, 2009
Zhang Yajie, “Window”, oil on canvas, 160 x 160 cm, 2009
Zhang Yajie, “Kitchen Corner”, oil on canvas, 150 x 130 cm, 2009
Zhang Yajie, “Landscape”, oil on canvas, 160 x 100 cm, 2010
Zhang Yajie, “Corner of the Studio”, oil on canvas, 160 x 100 cm, 2013
