"Line" serves as the central element of the artist's practice. The compositions continuously expand around this fundamental unit, allowing the subject matter to evolve alongside it. The crisscrossing and overlapping of lines grant the outcome of each painting infinite possibilities; whether it be a permanent, solid stance or a fleeting, ephemeral moment, both are rendered through the diverse versatility of the brushwork.

Personal emotion is the most critical internal driver governing the artist’s themes and creative direction. From cold, mechanical repetition to passionate, dance-like fluid strokes, these lines reveal varying mental states. Scenes from daily life and "decisive moments" captured in imagery serve as the foundational sources for the compositions. By employing "line" as a symbolic language, the artist has entered a "World of Lines." Within this realm, the author deconstructs and reshapes figures and objects, utilizing unpredictable linear graffiti to seek and construct a brand-new visual linguistic system within the context of contemporary art.

Go West is a manifestation of the artist’s current, established, and mature stylistic language. The work employs a profusion of lines and cun (texturing) brushstrokes to depict several wild horses trekking toward the west.

While both this piece and the earlier The Five Horses of 2121 focus on the theme of horses, they represent distinct stages of the artist’s creative evolution. The former marks the pivotal moment when the artist began utilizing "line" as a primary artistic language, whereas the latter showcases the refinement and maturity of that style. There is a clear sequential relationship between the two. Furthermore, the horses in these two works move in opposite directions—one toward the east and the other toward the west. When presented together, this contrast not only highlights the stylistic characteristics of different periods but also adds a layer of narrative playfulness. Ultimately, the artist seeks to channel themes of hope, boundless vitality, and latent potential through the imagery of the horse.

About the Artist

Zhang Kai
（China，b.2000）

MFA in Contemporary Art, East China Normal University. Based in Shanghai. Lines are the core element of his art. By using lines as a symbolic language, he creates a “world of lines” in which he can deconstruct and reconstruct figures and objects. Through the overlapping and intersecting of lines, his paintings generate infinite possibilities. Images from everyday life and decisive moments captured in photographs serve as the fundamental sources for his compositions. Whether depicting enduring stillness or fleeting instants, he conveys them through diverse brushwork, constructing a new visual language system within contemporary art. His works have been exhibited at Jiushi Art Museum, Shanghai, and Kitakyushu Municipal Museum of Art, Japan.