Born in Beijing, Zhan Wang is one of the most famous artists in China. Inspired by traditional Chinese garden landscapes, he explores and discusses the Chinese love for landscapes. From there, he embarks on a journey to discover his roots, while seeking personal sources of knowledge, identity, and culture. He attempts to deconstruct the reason behind Chinese literati’s love of nature, while also exploring conceptual meanings of time. In 1994, he began to develop a series of stainless steel rockery. After a series of abstract art experiments in the early 1990s, Zhan Wang was eager to incorporate Western art concepts and traditional literati classic symbols together into individual artworks. He boldly attempted to use stainless steel instead of the natural and artificial texture of Taihu stones, which one usually Finds in gardens. Only available after the industrial era, stainless steel materials are able to provide a contemporary visual effect and message. Their uniquely shining texture reinterprets the traditional styles of garden landscapes. Natural and industrial, contemporary and traditional, real and surreal - all these elements come together to create a series of conflicting relationships. Such conflicts are not only Filled with new imagination, but also give off a unique sense of playfulness.

Using contemporary material, he interprets Chinese literature and culture, while invoking Eastern philosophies embedded in stone. He successfully produces “contemporary” garden landscapes by using a combination of Western techniques and Eastern thought. His purpose is not to continue the stone aesthetics held by traditional literati. “The literati are fascinated by the historical aspects contained with stone, which evokes a sentimental and retro artistic feeling. However, stainless steel is a very substantive material, which runs counter to the traditional spirit,” Zhan Wang states, “Stainless steel can easily represent a fake stone image. This delivers a more relaxed feeling, and relieves the sense that tradition can be a burden.”