Brushstroke detailing taken from “Artificial Landscape II” 2014 (Acrylic on Canvas)

Following on from the collaborative Exhibition in July 2014 entitled “Accidents need not happen” (a project inspired by The Media Archive for Central England (MACE), based at the University of Lincoln) Zhang Tao is again bring his unique look at Western culture to the Project Space Plus at the Lincoln School of Art and Design.

“Artificial landscapes” is the culmination of a one year visit for the artist as an Associate Professor of Fine Art in the College of Arts at the University of Lincoln. Having attended the preview, he commented to the assembled guests that the modern age, being full of visual information and imagery “seemed by some to be moving it’s focus of the contemporary art form away from painting with a brush”.  Coming from the Eastern tradition, however, Zhang Tao continues to have a great fascination with the traditional form of brush painting.

His works on display clearly reflect this – he has attempted, through this long studied subject, to engage people in reflecting on  modern civilisation in a different perspective. His use of colour and brush strokes transform paintings of modern rubbish – disgarded motorbikes, scrap metal and old cars, into almost illusionary natural landscapes. It was a pleasure – one I have not had the opportunity for quite some time – to stand, look, engage and ponder on his works, which include watercolour and acrylic media.

The exhibition runs from 6th January – 16th January 2015.