Zhang Jian Long

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About the artwork

Zhang Jian Long is known not only for his laughing faces, but also his accurate portrayals of children transitioning into adulthood - referencing the flurry of emotions they encounter along the way. In this picture, we see two children peering into a room with a billiards table - an ‘adult’ game that represents the world of grown-ups. One child’s face shows excitement whilst the other exhibits reluctance, fear and revulsion. These expressions reflect the differences between the world of children and adults and the wavering emotions that movement into phases of maturity can bring.

About the artist

In 1982, Zhang Jian Long was born in Lanzhou, Gansu Province, and graduated from the Fine Arts Department of Nanyang Normal University, Henan Province, in 2004. His graduation art piece was published in the 2003 Annual Works of China Fine Arts Academies and he has since exhibited extensively in China. Zhang's paintings attempt to look through a child’s eyes, depicting an ideal world of innocence and joy. Free from the confines of modern society, Zhang's works show us the human spirit's full, unbridled potential while also shedding light on the constraints of modern society and 'adult' life.