The Curve Composition series draws inspiration from the expansion of its subject matter, employing the human torso as an unconventional motif in painting to articulate contemporary reflections and artistic creativity. The torso, restructured and rhythmically arranged with colour, generates a striking visual impact, embodying vitality, lyrical fluidity, softness, and a sense of romantic imagination.
The works integrate traditional Chinese dyeing techniques with the language of painting while simultaneously engaging with the currents of contemporary art. By transcending conventional modes of thought, they pursue harmony between humanity and nature, echoing existential ideas of interdependence. Abstraction, transformation and ornamentation are interwoven to form a unique pictorial language of dye painting. Through the combined processes of dyeing and washing, the artist establishes a distinctive style, merging craftsmanship with poetic expression.
The series unites the elegance of curves with the whimsicality of the torso, creating a poetic fusion that embodies the artist’s aesthetic philosophy, curiosity and vision of an as yet unknown world.
Shaolin Zhong is a trailblazer in contemporary Chinese dyeing art and a leading figure in dyeing painting. With over four decades of artistic exploration, Zhong has redefined traditional Chinese textile and dyeing techniques by integrating them with modern art concepts such as abstraction and deconstruction. His works are celebrated for their vibrancy, depth, and transformative storytelling, bridging cultural traditions with contemporary artistic practices.
A graduate of Lu Xun Academy of Fine Arts in China and Tama Art University in Japan, Zhong later served as a professor at the College of Art and Design at Beijing University of Technology. Now based in Thailand, he draws inspiration from nature, using landscapes, seascapes, and flora and fauna as foundational elements to explore his profound connection with the natural world.
Zhong’s practice blends traditional Chinese dyeing techniques with modern aesthetics, employing materials such as wax and resist dye methods. His unique style emerges from the interplay of “water based pigments” that create organic diffusion and “oil based pigments” layered with deliberate precision. His works, characterized by dynamic curves, intricate layering, and harmonious color palettes, challenge conventional distinctions between fine art and craft.
By pioneering innovative approaches, Shaolin Zhong has inspired a new generation of artists to explore the intersection of traditional craftsmanship and contemporary art. His contributions continue to shape and elevate the global perception of Chinese textile and dyeing art.
