News Zhang Xiaogang Receives Honorary Doctorate Philadelphia University of the Arts Congratulations to Chinese artist Zhang Xiaogang on his recent Honorary Doctorate from Philadelphia's University of the Arts. David Yager, the University's President and CEO, delivered the honor to Zhang on May 16 in recognition of his contributions to Chinese contemporary art.Born in Kunming China in 1958, Zhang came to prominence in the 1990s amid the new wave of Chinese artists breaking from aesthetic traditions. Playing off the conventions of state-sponsored Socialist Realism and inspired by Surrealism, he navigates the cultural terrain of contemporary China with works that question notions of identity and the construction of memory. Read More Journal View All Museum Exhibitions Arlene Shechet at Catskill Art Space May 14, 2025 Museum Exhibitions Sonia Gomes at Storm King May 06, 2025 Artist Projects Torkwase Dyson at Brooklyn Bridge Park May 06, 2025 Artist Projects Arlene Shechet and Hank Willis Thomas at Governors Island May 06, 2025 News — Zhang Xiaogang Receives Honorary Doctorate from Philadelphia University of the Arts, May 22, 2019