Lectures

Hailed as one of China’s foremost painter of the 20th century, Chang Dai-chien (Zhang Daqian) is a seminal figure in the transmission of Chinese art to the West. His paintings have outsold Van Gogh (CNN) and have set world auction records (New York Times). Yet his 30-year exile in the West after leaving China in 1949 remains widely misunderstood and shrouded in mystery.

Of Color and Ink is the first film to document Chang’s 30-year exile through South America, Europe, and the United States and is the result of a 12-year journey by Chinese-American director Weimin Zhang who sought to unravel the mysteries and controversies surrounding Chang’s artistic and spiritual quest as he journeyed from East to West. The film reveals the hidden story of Chang Dai-chien’s rise as an artist of global stature and how his art transcended cultural boundaries and political borders – a story that is particularly relevant today.

Of Color and Ink has been acclaimed by critics as both a remarkable cinematic achievement and a significant scholarly contribution. The film has already won several “Best Documentary” awards at festivals in China, Brazil, and the United States, as well as over dozen selections by the film festivals.

Run time: 101 minutes