“Fairy tales are not just for children,” says Zhang Zhaoying. “In fact, when adults revisit fairy tales, they often discover deeper meanings.” The artist’s modern take on fairy tales draws upon characters from popular culture. He features Homer Simpson to comment on Western patriarchy, while the alienated expressions of SpongeBob and Patrick mirror the complexities of the adult world. Zhang critiques power in a scene with a weakened tiger, symbolising lost rights, and uses Barbie and Ken to illustrate the endless pursuit of perfection in relationships. By placing these well-known characters in unusual scenarios, he generates new dialogue.

The White Rabbit Collection is one of the world’s most extensive and significant collections of contemporary art from China. With a focus on works created since the year 2000, the Collection contains almost 3,000 works by over 750 artists and continues to expand. Note that when you click on the link below you will be forwarded to the White Rabbit Collection website.

Explore the work of ZHANG ZHAOYING in the collection database