FQM cordially invites you to our artist talk series in celebration of Asia Week New York this March, highlighting its commitment to promoting contemporary Asian and transcultural art. Featuring six gallery-represented artists who have made significant contributions to this field, the event will take place on Sunday, March 16, and Monday, March 17, from 3:00 to 5:00 PM.
Ink Art: The Past in the Present
Sunday, March 16, 3:00 to 5:00 PM.
The first part "Ink Art: The Past in the Present," highlights Tai Xiangzhou, Wang Mansheng, and Zhang Xiaoli—three Chinese diaspora artists whose work draws essence from classical East Asian culture, rediscovering the evolution of tradition in the contemporary world. They will discuss their innovative approaches to the ink art tradition, incorporating interdisciplinary perspectives, and share insights into their current exhibitions in esteemed institutions across the U.S.
- Tai Xiangzhou (b. 1968, lives and works in Beijing, China) is both an artist and a scholar whose work examines Chinese landscape representations and their origins in classical cosmology. He will discuss his approach to revitalizing the idealistic forms of landscape painting, with a focus on his most recent works on show at FQM and the latest series featuring ancient bronzes and jades, which will be showcased in the Art Institute of Chicago’s exhibition, Affirmation of Stone and Metal, opening on Friday, March 7. Tai will reflect on the role of ritual objects in ancestral worship as a means of understanding the unknown and examine how ink art can bring the spiritual essence of these artifacts into contemporary practice.
- Wang Mansheng (b. 1962, lives and works in New York) is a self-taught ink painter whose practice merges classical literati brushwork with experimental techniques, tools, and materials. His work draws inspiration from classical Chinese literature, reinterpreting its themes through dynamic compositions. Wang will discuss his latest project, Without Us, an installation of large-scale silk panels to be presented at the Huntington Library, Art Museum, and Botanical Gardens in San Marino, CA from May 17 to August 4.
- Zhang Xiaoli (b. 1989, lives and works in Toronto, Canada) transforms classical Chinese mediums through an interdisciplinary lens, blending art, science, and philosophy. Her recent work abandons defined boundaries, creating a fluid, ever-shifting world where matter merges and memory lingers. Influenced by her nomadic experiences, she draws from ancient wisdom and modern thought and juxtaposes classical landscapes with contemporary science. Through her innovative approach, Zhang breathes new life into classical traditions, infusing them with depth and renewed relevance.
Tradition Across Borders: A Transcultural Exchange
Monday, March 17, 3:00 to 5:00 PM.
The second part, "Tradition Across Borders: A Transcultural Exchange," features Arnold Chang, Michael Cherney, and Brandon Sadler—three American artists from distinct cultural backgrounds. United by their deep engagement with East Asian visual culture, they create works inspired by centuries-old traditions of East Asian painting and calligraphy. This discussion will explore their transcultural practices on East Asian art through distinct artistic mediums, reflecting the interconnected realities of today’s global world and challenging cultural binaries by bridging Eastern and Western aesthetics.
PARTICIPATING ARTISTS
- Arnold Chang (b. 1954, lives and works in New Jersey) is a distinguished scholar, curator, and artist, who merges traditional Chinese literati painting with modern abstraction. Trained in classical ink techniques, he explores the balance of brushwork, rhythm, and spatial depth while sometimes reinterpreting landscape painting through the lens of abstract expressionism. His retrospective, Landscapes by Arnold Chang: A Retrospective and Recent Acquisitions, at the Cleveland Museum of Art (March 8–November 9, 2025), showcases 18 works spanning his career, including his signature fusion of ink painting with color and collaborative cross-media work with Michael Cherney.
- Michael Cherney (b. 1969, lives and works in Beijing, China) is a self-taught photographer whose work integrates contemporary photography with traditional Chinese artistic formats. With an academic background in Chinese language and history, his engagement with China’s cultural heritage informs his exploration of landscape and memory. Traveling extensively to historically significant sites, Cherney captures fleeting moments that echo centuries of artistic tradition. His works, presented as handscrolls, albums, and hanging scrolls, transform photography into a natural extension of classical Chinese media, offering a contemplative dialogue between past and present.
- Brandon Sadler (b. 1986, lives and works in Atlanta, Georgia) is a multidisciplinary artist who blends East Asian calligraphy and contemporary storytelling. Influenced by martial arts philosophy and Hip-Hop, he forges a unique visual language. A SCAD graduate and 2019 Distinguished Alumnus, his work spans painting, murals, and installations, including projects for Marvel Studios’ Black Panther and the High Museum of Art. Through his dynamic practice, Sadler explores cultural exchange, spirituality, and artistic innovation on a global scale.
From honoring classical ink painting to exploring transcultural dialogues, the two-day artist talk series illuminates how venerable practices resonate powerfully in today’s interconnected world. We look forward to welcoming you on March 16 and 17 for an engaging and thought-provoking exploration of artistic heritage, innovation, and the ever-evolving creative landscape. This event will be held both on-site and virtually via Zoom and RedNote, allowing audiences from around the world to participate in this unique conversation and demonstration.
