“In my series, “World’s Shadows”, (2009-2011) I utilize "cyanotypes" a photo-image making process invented over 150 years ago: I make unique cyanotypes on large format canvas by brushing the fabric with a recipe of chemicals. After drying the fabric, images placed in front of the fabric are captured in silhouette; and, within a few minutes of exposure to the sun’s ray’s negative images, or shadows, start to form. Areas not exposed to light remain white while those exposed to the light result in different tones of blue, depending on the varying degrees of transparency of the objects.

In July,2009 I started to experiment with photogram making, documenting shadows of different forms, and the resulting images amazed me. Beside the wide variety of material objects, under the sun, I also discovered a world constituted by the interaction of material objects and shadows, noting our eyes’ attraction to material objects and our tendency to disregard the shadows.

I believe I am among the first to use cyanotypes of living and material objects of such large format.

I will continue to explore this non-digital, unique photogram print methodology, as a means of interacting with and memorializing the temporary environment that surrounds me in Beijing. “

- Zhang Dali

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Artist Profile

Born: 1963

Hometown: Harbin

Based in: Beijing

Zhang Dali (b. 1963) studied at the Central Academy of Fine Arts and Design in Beijing. Born in Harbin, China, he continues to live and practice his art in his hometown and Beijing.

He draws inspiration from the frenetic urban pace and swirling flux of daily life, and the people around him. Zhang’s art is often an emotive response to his environment. He works across a wide variety of media – from urban art to archiving photographs of Chairman Mao Zedong and large-scale installations documenting contemporary social history. Zhang often uses his body of work to highlight the growing divide between poverty and wealth as well as the rapid development of China.

He has shown his works internationally including the International Centre of Photography, New York and the Gwangju Biennale, Korea.
Recent shows in 2014 include New York and Chengdu.

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