Taking a page from tradition

Through years of bookmaking, Zhang has become a paper expert. In addition to traditional rice paper, he has also experimented with various materials such as silver paper and chestnut shell dyed paper, offering the viewer different visual and tactile experiences.

For example, Zhang obtained sand-colored paper by soaking and fermenting chestnut shells for more than two years.

Zhang's solo exhibition is being staged in Shanghai and will run until April 17.

"This bookbinding technique requires a very high degree of precision, and any slight deviation will affect the final overall effect," says Zhang Linmiao, curator of the exhibition.

"The paper grows, extends, folds, rises and falls, fully revealing the artist's sophisticated skill and unique perspective," Zhang Linmiao adds.

Speaking about his future plans, Zhang Xiaodong says he would keep an open mind to enrich his artistic creations.

"I believe printed books will keep evolving in their formats and won't disappear, so it needs constant learning and willingness to try new things to come up with more creative works," he says. "What I need to think about is how I can do my part to push them in a certain direction."