Center for the Art of East Asia

Film screening, followed by a discussion with Director Weimin Zhang and Harrie A. Vanderstappen Distinguished Service Professor of Art History and the College Wu Hung

Please Register Here.

“Of Color and Ink” is an extraordinary documentary film which discovers the unknown exile journey of a global artist, Chang Dai-chien (1899-1983), China’s foremost 20th-century painter of the 20th century, often compared with Picasso. His paintings  outsell Van Gogh (CNN) and he has held the record as the best-selling artist at auction (New York Times). In its review of “Of Color and Ink” (South China Morning Post) stated, 'After one of China’s most famous 20th-century artists left his homeland, his life was a mystery. Until now".
 
This is the first film to document Chang’s 30-year exile in 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 makes a case for his strong influence on Western art, showing that his work formed a bridge not only between China’s past and present, but also between Eastern and Western aesthetic ideas. The film delves into his extraordinary life in exile and highlights his mission within the global art world.
 
Through innovative techniques and visual styles, “Of Color and Ink” offers an illuminating, revelatory and entertaining exploration of one of the most influential – and least known - giants of 20th century art.
 
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This event is co-sponsored by the University of Chicago Center for East Asian Studies with support from a Title VI National Resource Center Grant from the U.S. Department of Education.