Z.S. Liang, b. 1953, China
Born in China and raised in a family of artists, Z.S. Liang began his training at an early age. Like many of his contemporaries, Liang studied realism where he had the opportunity to study the work of 19th and 20th century Russian masters. With the end of the Cultural Revolution, came the opportunity many promising Chinese artists yearned for; access to western books and magazines and the ability to travel abroad and experience western culture. It was on the east coast of the United States that Liang was first inspired to paint Native American cultures. His passion for the Native Americans as a people coupled with a keen sense of historical accuracy, storytelling abilities and exceptional drawing skills, add strength and truth to his dynamic portrayals. During the ensuing years of field research, he has made many connections and friends among native tribes from the east coast to the west coast.
Today, Liang’s penchant for detail combined with the historical and narrative elements of his paintings have firmly established him among the ranks of the finest western, representational painters in the country. In each painting, whether a complex subject matter or simple, his meticulous research and dedication is clearly evident, giving his work passion and authenticity.
Z.S. Liang: Truth in the Details
Western Art Collector June 2019
Truth in the Details by Dan Corazzi In his newest work, Z.S. Liang shows his continued passion for accurately portraying Native American life.
Several months ago I had the pleasure of realizing every serious collector’s dream when I had the opportunity to “shadow” a great artist—in this case Z.S. Liang—as he developed the idea for his latest major painting, did the necessary research, prepared an initial drawing, refined subsequent drawings, prepared a study, drew the final version on the canvas, spent weeks painting the composition and, finally, made minor changes and or corrections before the painting was deemed to be complete and ready for framing. Getting to know Z.S. over the past several years, I very quickly learned that the reasons why he has been so successful in his portrayal of Native Americans, with his paintings, are varied.
Trailside Galleries has been showcasing Western art for more than 50 years, working to preserve and interpret the heritage of the American West. In the upcoming show Spirit of the West the gallery looks to continue that trend with more than 25 gallery artists participating. The artwork will span from landscapes to wildlife, still lifes to scenes of action, and also depictions of cultures and people throughout the West. Both traditional and contemporary art will hang during the month of August.
Trailside Galleries looks to keep its tradition of being a “crossroads for both established and new talent and to be the point of connection between people who make art and people who love it.” With the show Into the West: The Trailside Tradition Continues, the gallery will feature Western works with subject matter ranging from realistic wildlife to impressionistic figures.
Arts & Antiques Weekly
A Western Convergence
July 24, 2015
‘A Western Convergence’ To Open At Trailside Galleries August 1
JACKSON, WYO. — Trailside Galleries is presenting “A Western Convergence,” a major show of new works featuring five leading Western artists: Bill Anton, Logan Maxwell Hagege, Z.S. Liang, Jim C. Norton and Tim Solliday. The show is on exhibit August 1–30 and an open house will be Thursday, August 20, 5 to 7 pm.
Bill Anton’s impressionistic paintings chronicle the life and times of the contemporary working cowboy. Inspired by the majestic landscapes, wilderness areas and working ranches close to his Arizona studio, he paints with a directness of purpose tempered by rich colors and soft edged brushwork.
Logan Maxwell Hagege’s paintings of the American Southwest come to life in a series of angular images that capture the spare beauty of an arid landscape and of an ancient and enduring Native American culture shaped by the extremes of its environment.
In Z.S. Liang’s paintings, whether a complex, historical subject matter with multiple figures or a simple, elegant portrait, his meticulous research and dedication is clearly evident, giving his work passion and authenticity.
Jim C. Norton, longstanding member of the Cowboy Artists of America, is world renowned for his renditions of Western art and depictions of historical and modern life in the West. His painterly use of color brings life to the stunning vistas portrayed within his art.
Tim Solliday’s work is a unique combination of the historic and the contemporary; his Western landscapes and figures are imbued with vibrant color and bold, dramatic brushstrokes that add a feeling of movement in his works. Trailside Galleries is at 130 East Broadway. For further information, 307-733-3186 or www.trailsidegalleries.com .
For Immediate Release:
SELL OUT SHOW FOR Z.S. LIANG AT TRAILSIDE GALLERIES
Scottsdale, Arizona
Scottsdale, AZ…. On Saturday, November 15, award winning artist Z.S. Liang appeared in person at Trailside Galleries’ Scottsdale, Arizona location for his showcase of new works and to sign copies of his recent book, Native Trails-Fresh Tracks. Published by Greenwich Workshop Press, this is the first ever, fine art, hardcover retrospective of Z.S. Liang’s work. Collectors streamed into the gallery and stood in line to meet Liang and get their books signed.
While the showcase for Liang was comprised of just five paintings, the power of the imagery was rich and compelling. Precise detail combined with the historical and narrative elements of his paintings was clearly evident in each work; from the smallest, a 9 x 12 oil titled “Siksika Hunter” with its painterly brushwork and jewel colors, to the stunning 46 x 34 oil titled “Bear Medicine Healer.” In this work, Liang alludes to the belief by Native Americans that the bear possessed the power to heal its wounds. So too, the Crow Medicine Man was believed to have such power of healing. Liang masterfully captured this scene, portraying the wounded warrior placed at the front of the sacred Eagle Medicine Rock, as the Medicine Man shakes his rattle ferociously to keep the evil spirit away, treating the wounded warrior with all his powers to save his life.
As is customary with a new collection of Liang paintings, a fixed priced draw was held to determine the lucky buyers, who hailed from Montana all across the country down to Florida.
Z.S. Liang will next be participating in a special group show in August 2015 at the gallery’s Jackson, Wyoming gallery. Additional details will be forthcoming.
Links for show images and price list available upon request.
Z.S. Liang Exhibition Website Page
Z.S. Liang Press Images & Documents
Please contact Kimberly C. Fletcher, Marketing & Communications Director at 480.945.7751 or email media@trailsidegalleries.com for further information and images.
Spiritual Voices
By Michael Clawson
Western Art Collector, November 2014
Using a variety of historical sources, Z.S. Liang tells personal Native American stories for his new Arizona exhibition.
Sandwiched between the paint and the canvas is something that can’t always be seen in a piece of artwork, but it can be felt, albeit subtly. That hidden layer: story. Western and Native American painter Z.S. Liang cuts through the understatement: “Getting that story is the single most crucial part of painting. It’s that simple. Story is what makes a great painting,” he says.
click below to read full article
During the Fall Classics reception in Scottsdale, Arizona on November 15, 2014, Z.S. Liang will be signing copies of his new book, Native Trails-Fresh Tracks, which has just been released by Greenwich workshop. This publication will be the first ever, fine art, hardcover retrospecitve of Z.S. Liang's work. The informative text, by writer and painter Tom Saubert, discusses the historical period as well as the artist’s approach to his work. With over 70 full color plates, this book is a must have for Liang fans and collectors.
Text by writer and painter Tom Saubert.
9x12, hardcover, jacketed, 144 pages. $60
PLEASE CALL TO RESERVE YOUR BOOK TODAY!!!
480.945.7751 or info@trailsidegalleries.com
Liang’s rich and compelling paintings of Native American culture and tradition clearly resonate with collectors who find depth and quality in his storytelling narratives. His penchant for detail combined with the historical and narrative elements of his paintings have firmly established him among the ranks of the finest western representational painters in the country.
The Jackson Hole Art Auction is pleased to introduce the inaugural Top Tier juried competition this year. Top Tier artists, chosen by invitation, are a select group of contemporary artists with exemplary auction records. Participants include William Acheff, John Banovich, Carl Brenders, Ken Carlson, Jenness Cortez, Martin Grelle, Z.S. Liang, Bonnie Marris, Tucker Smith, Mian Situ, and Morgan Weistling. A $10,000 cash prize will be awarded to the artist whose work is of significant merit, as determined by a three person jury: Peter Hassrick, Director Emeritus & Senior Scholar, Buffalo Bill Center of the West; Jerry Smith, PhD, Curator of American & Western American Art, Phoenix Art Museum; Adam Duncan Harris, PhD, Petersen Curator of Art & Research, National Museum of Wildlife Art. The award will be announced prior to the start of the auction, during which all Top Tier paintings will be sold.
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