Chinese Painter Zhang Enli: The Garden at Hauser and Wirth Gallery in Chelsea

Zhang Enli (b China 1965) is a renowned painter whose painting style has been evolving from figurative to abstract landscapes.  Enli studied in China where he teaches & paints. Enli's lovely large scale oil paintings (2017) are on view through April at Hauser & Wirth Gallery in Chelsea.  Several of his paintings titled "The Garden" are beautiful abstract oil paintings that may not necessarily invoke the outdoors but vibrate with their remarkable color palettes & exceptional compositions.   His large scale undulating blue paintings "The Monochrome Night (1)" and "The Monochrome. Night (2)" recall Monet's lily pond paintings but unlike Monet's serene aesthetic Enli's paintings possess an illuminating energy.   And some of his more minimal paintings "The Decoration"and "Grey Parrot" are reminiscent of Brice Marsden's work.  Still, Enli's paintings are unique and breathtakingly beautiful.  My favorite works from the exhibit are "The Gold Arowana" (an indigenous Asian fish) and his "Garden" series.