Zhu Qingyu, who holds the 2015 rotating presidency of the selection committee, speaks at the award ceremony in the Forbidden City on Thursday.[Photo/Artron.net]

In the acceptance speech, Zhang Peili told the audience that his selection to engage in art “is a choice of life as well as a Z-Turn”. He never imagined that his Z-Turn would be recognized by society. “Now I feel heartfelt happiness,” he said.

Wan Jie, the founder of AAC Art China as well as the chairman of Artron culture group, said AAC Art China wished to showcase the most influential contemporary art to China and the world through this selection.