Zhang Hongtu

Who is Zhang Hongtu?

Zhang Hongtu is a Chinese artist based in New York.

Zhang was born in Pingliang. He works in a variety of media such as painting, sculpture, collage, ceramics, digital imaging and installation. His work explores the freedom to criticize the Chinese authorities afforded to an artist living in the West. It also reflects on themes of authority and belief and cross-cultural 'East and West' connections.These themes are largely derived from his "outsider" standing as a Muslim in China and, after his move to the United States, as a Chinese citizen in the Western world.

He studied at the Central Academy of Arts and Crafts in Beijing.

In 1987 he took part in the founding of The Chinese United Overseas Artists Association, along with Li Shuang, Qu Leilei, Ai Weiwei.