Zhang Peili

Heather | Asian Art Newspaper | 29th May 2020

After starting off in painting Peili made his name creating what is regarded as China’s first video work. A central theme, then and since, is monotony, “the aesthetics of boredom” and the passing of time. Characteristically his videos have a closely cropped image of a banal, repeated activity, like washing a chicken. Peili won’t supply a narrative for his work, suggesting viewers “have their own understanding”. Assuming, that is, they are still watching.