The “Spanking” is a quintessential painting of the highly skilled Contemporary Chinese artist Tang Zhigang, who paints absurd arrangements of institutional meetings which are humorously incongruous to the cute depictions of children. Here, the official gathering of the Chinese military is signified by the covered tables, cups, and arranged seating with a curtain backdrop and wall hung portrait of authority. Despite the formalities, toys are dispersed throughout the room suggesting the attendees have just participated in play, and are now prompted toward the speculation of a central scene of discipline. Zhigang dresses the children in Mao-like uniforms and applies intense prime colors representing militarism and uniformity. These are his signature themes and are of bureaucratic iconography and symbolism that encompass his amusing critique of serious adult affairs handled like children. These compositions are highly valued and have garnered 6 figure prices at auction within this year.

Zhigang was born into a family of military servicemen, he served as an artist in propaganda division and even received an award for “distinguished service”. Evolving from his calm and healing earlier works, Zhigang now paints scenes that draw anxiety over the pointlessness and inconsistencies of wholly regimented dictated life. Inspired by the art classes he taught to children in his studio, he deals with human relationships of power play and regulations. The historic use of realistic painting is redirected from propaganda to imbue a message of foolishness. Even his process of dripping paint are intentional tools to mock the notion of adult art making. Tang Zhigang Graduated from PLA Institute of Fine Arts in 1989, and established a studio in Beijing in 2005. He now lives and teaches at Yunnan Institute of Fine Arts in Southwest China.