Zhang Hongyu was born in Ulan Hot, Inner Mongolia, north of China.
1987
He was taught calligraphy
and traditional Chinese painting by his uncle,who
taught
at the Academy of
Art. He also travelled with him throughout the steppe, which
gave him
a taste for travel, and gave him
the
chance to witness the beauty of his own country.
1999
He
went to the Academy of Art in Hohhot ( capital of Inner Mongolia )
where he studied engraving.
2003
He
graduated in July.
He wanted to learn more about western art ( the impressionnists and expressionnists ),
so he decided to learn French at Peking University, before actually going to France,
which was his lifelong dream.
2004
He arrived in Pariswhere he stayed with a friend.
He enrolled at the École des Beaux-Arts in Versailles.
He was fascinated by Paris, not only because of the art which he was able to understand more clearly, and enjoy, but also because in such a " metropolitan city ", he was able to meet people from different backgroudsand countries, and he wanted to show this
inhis portraits.
2006
The
accidental death of his mother in China made him question everything.
His style changed : he went from
using colours to just black and grey, and all the materials for
Chinese calligraphy ( paper, Indian ink,
charcoal ). Canvasses
were left bare, or covered in gold or silver. He wanted to show
people " exposing their psychological
state ", using strong lines and variables, and using Indian ink which
allows more
fluidity and expression..
2007
He
graduated from the Ecole des Beaux-Arts, in Versailles.
He showed his
work at theAutumn Salon,
where he was awarded a prize for his work
( No. 39 - Indian Ink and charcoal on paper 120 x 65 cm ).
2008
IHe
became a member of the Autumn Salon.
He
continued to travel all over Europe, China and Mongolia in the search
for interesting faces, in order to
complete his series of portraits entitled " Chadioptre " on which
he
worked at the Cité des Arts, 75018 Paris.
2009
He
set up his own studio, 46 rue Pierre Larousse, 75014 Paris