Stella Zhang (; born 1965 in Beijing, China) is a Chinese contemporary artist whose practice ranges from painting to sculpture and installation. Zhang is notable for her strong feminist approach in art-making. Her work is described as "a statement for women’s power and identity," Zhang is exhibited world-wide and collected by public institutions such as the National Art Museum of China, Beijing, China, Copelouzos Family Art Museum, Athens, Greece; and Tan Shin Fine Arts Museum, Tokyo, Japan. There are seven monographs focusing on her work, published by Chinese Culture Foundation of San Francisco, Si Chuan Art Press, EDGE Gallery, JKD Gallery, and Galerie du Monde. She is a guest lecturer at Stanford University and also teaches at the Central Academy of Fine Arts in Beijing.
Education
Zhang was trained in the Chinese Brush Painting Department at Central Academy of Fine Arts in Beijing. In 1990, she moved to Japan and obtained a Master’s degree in Fine Arts from Tokyo University of the Arts in 1996. She currently lives and works in San Francisco, USA.
Work
Stella Zhang translates forms and textures of female and male bodies by utilizing soft yet resilient materials such as threads and fabrics. American art historian and curator Betti-Sue Hertz comments that these materials become "emblems of power and desire." Zhang uses other daily objects to depict the tension between what a spectator sees and his/her/their feelings, tenderness, and flexibility, as well as the space between reality and dream. In the artist's own words, her art "expresses hidden conflicts that challenge our ability to connect to our shared struggles with power; inequality and identity."
Solo exhibitions
Stella Zhang's solo exhibitions include Qualia Contemporary Art, Palo Alto, USA (2021); UNTITLED, ART, presented by Chinese Culture Center of San Francisco, San Francisco, USA (2020); Galerie du Monde, Hong Kong (2018); Wanying Art Museum, Hebei, China (2018); NanHai Art, Millbrae, USA (2017); Art Basel in Hong Kong, presented by Galerie du Monde, Hong Kong (2016); Art Central, presented by Galerie du Monde, Hong Kong (2015); Galerie du Monde, Hong Kong (2015); EDGE Gallery, Hong Kong (2012); Silicon Valley Asian Art Center, Santa Clara, USA (2011); The Performance Art Institute, San Francisco, USA; Chinese Culture Center of San Francisco, San Francisco, USA (2010); Amrithika Gallery, Palo Alto, USA (2009); Elizabeth Norton Gallery, Palo Alto, USA (2009); JKD Gallery, Santa Monica, USA (2006); Sandstone Gallery, Laguna Beach, USA (2005); National Art Museum of China, Beijing, China; New Taipei City Arts Center, Taipei, Taiwan (2004); JKD Gallery, Santa Monica, USA (2003); Journal Gallery, Tokyo, Japan (1997); Ozuwashi Museum, Tokyo, Japan (1993); Nagai Gallery, Tokyo, Japan (1992); and Chinese Gallery, Yokohama, Japan (1991).