"Every person I paint is the same person, the one true person. My work explores what it means to be human, and how we relate to each other. By covering the faces of all of thefigures, clothing them similarly, and masking-out their hair, I hope to isolate human energy and reveal the essence of our collected experience. We all come into this world the same, and depending on our life experiences, we create differing notions of purpose. They take a fatalistic view of their situation and succumb to the point of self destruction. I believe we can change these positions we find ourselves in; movement within the collected human experience is lateral. This movement is an underlying current of hope, running through my work. Yes, there are serious black faces, but they are also dotted with optimistic yellow, and eyes that reveal the soul of the one true person.  

Zhang's canvases are composed of masked figures painted against abstracted backgrounds of splattered paint or floral patterns. The faces are stripped of societal, gender and individual indicators in an effort to “isolate human energy and reveal the essence of our collected experience,” (Xi Zhang, Artist Statement, 2008). Zhang combines the oppositional forces of abstraction and representation, black and white, a flat surface and three-dimensional elements to illustrate the need for a balance that is vital to Taoist philosophy. This balance can be viewed as a metaphor for Zhang's expert juggling of his cultural heritage and the American adaptations he embraces in Denver.

Born in China in 1984, Zhang began studying art at a young age. During his formative high school years Zhang completed several independent art studies in Beijing where he made friends with well-known artists, Cang Xin, Mang Ke and Li Ya Wei, all of whom inspired Zhang to focus on his passion for art. In 2003, Clark Richert visited Zhang's school, HeNan University, to give a talk that proved immensely inspirational and influential for Zhang. Two years later, the impression of Richert's talk led Zhang to Colorado to attend Rocky Mountain College of Art and Design, a sister school to HeNan University and where Richert teaches painting. In 2008, Zhang became the recipient of the “Best of Department,” the “Silver” and the “Presidents” Awards at The Rocky Mountain College of Art and Design.