Label Type
Technique or ProcessLabel
Oxen Fighting
Zhang Qingyi (Chinese, act. late 20th century)
1986
Paint on rice paper
Gift of Andrea and Irv Green, 2019.1.49Label Type
Cultural/Historical ContextLabel
In the mountains where cattle roam free, boys are trying to herd oxen that have begun fighting each other. Zhang Qingyi creates modern paintings in an exaggerated style. The forms of the oxen and children are realistic, but floral patterns decorate the animals’ bodies. The artist starts with a pencil sketch, cuts the paper into stencils, spreads broader color with sponges, then brush paints the details. Here, his stencils create a rippling effect on the background for a feeling of movement.