Burigude Zhang
Artist and printmaker, Burigude Zhang, completed the MA Printmaking in 1999, followed by a year as Artist in Residence at Bradford College.
Burigude,
originally from Inner Mongolia, but now based
in Toronto, Canada, has gained an international
reputation for his minimal but powerful work.
“I am very sure that the major foundation and energy
resources of my art practice comes from where I
built up my knowledge and skills. Bradford College is
definitely the major constructive part of my knowledge
and what I learnt there is continuously building
confidence and credibility through my career. Even
today, I am still benefiting directly from what I learnt
from my former MA tutors, Ian Colverson and Colin
Lloyd. For me this is a lifetime connection and benefit
for my professional practice.
Bradford College is influential in art and printmaking
internationally. This gives students the steps to access
and connect with more professional societies. The
gallery of former College student, David Hockney, in
Saltaire gave us a sense of a great artist that is so real
and near. It is still my favourite place to go and learn.
The National Media Museum, where we had a chance
to see photographic history, is so close to the College.
Then there is the wonderful curry restaurant where my
tutor treated me to a nice dinner and declared me an
artist right after graduation!
Many people who I met during my time at college
become my lifelong friends and have kept on visiting,
corresponding and collaborating with me. When I
remember Bradford College I don’t just think about
an excellent educational institute with high quality
facilities and staff, but also the wonderful Yorkshire
people greeting me with ‘Hello love’ with heavy
Yorkshire accents. It is located in such a rich cultural
environment which you feel more strongly when
you move away from it. I have to say I love all those
things.”
In May 2008 Burigude returned to Bradford to lead
workshops in the art of Chinese calligraphy at South
Square Galleries, to coincide with a new exhibition of
his latest work.
“Carrying vitality and consciousness, embrace them
as one. It is always the temptation for me to get
hold of the moment of life with these bold, simple
and spontaneous marks which are not depicting
but releasing the sense of simplicity, comfort,
straightforwardness and faithfulness. It becomes the
essential expression of my work. As Chinese master
Tao-Chi spoke of the single brushstroke as the origin
of all existence, it is my lifetime discipline to integrate
my intrinsic nature with the essence of natural world,
to achieve a state of integration between nature and
humanity. Nourish by the spirit of open land, the
vast stretch out of mountains, the firm, straight and
deeply rooted trees, the formless running of water
and the freedom of floating clouds, I do not copy the
appearance of them but perceive the quality and spirit
of them, based on those perceptions I start painting.
The result is not designated but it keeps me exploring
with open mind. What is remained on the canvas
finally is the feeling that I want to keep them there.”
Photograph supplied by Burigude Zhang