Human Beings and Their Clock 人类和他们的钟

Creator(s)

Jian-Jun ZHANG 张建军

Preview

Date

1985

Format

Slide

Materials

Oil on canvas

Dimensions

220 x 340 cm

Description

There are people of various races and ages from different times in this painting. They either look up to the sky, or close their eyes. An oval sphere with Roman numerals, III, V, VII, IX, is rising from the ocean. As the title suggests, the clock might indicate the coincidence and difference between clocks of humans and the universe. The tone is cold gray, and brushwork is loose and spontaneous. The figures were painted relatively freely, surrounded by a misty atmosphere and diffusive light that reinforced the sense of mystery and meditation. In general, this work shows the artist’s contemplation on the issue of time, and relationship between man and universe (Zhou Yan, “A History of Contemporary Chinese Art: 1949 to Present”, Springer, Singapore, pp. 160-161). (Yifan Shang '25)