Zhang Xiaogang (b. 1958)

The Ghost of a Color.
For Zhang Xiaogang, red has never been just a color; it is a bloodline, a political tether, and a scar of collective memory. But in this work, painted over four years (2013–2017), the red is "dull"—it is receding, becoming a shadow of its former ideological self.

Known for his haunting, monochromatic family portraits that defined Chinese Contemporary Art, here Zhang turns his gaze to the quietude of objects and space. The muted palette suggests a psychological interior, a memory that has been revisited and repainted until only the essence remains.

Why it matters:  Provenance is king here. This work comes with a flawless history: it was donated directly by the artist to the prestigious Yuz Museum (founded by the legendary collector Budi Tek) and sold at Christie’s Shanghai inaugural gala. You are buying a piece with a direct line to the artist’s hand and the highest institutional validation.