On the afternoon of November 9, 2025, L-Art Gallery Shenzhen officially opened amid a warm and celebratory atmosphere, welcoming numerous distinguished guests from the art world, including scholars, collectors, and members of the press.

The inaugural exhibition, a solo show by L-Art Gallery's first represented artist, Zhang Zhaoying, titled Lifelong Picture, holds profound symbolic significance. The opening ceremony was hosted by curator Gan Ting. Mr. Li Guohua (General Manager of L-Art Gallery Shenzhen), Mr. Lü Peng (Art Historian, Critic, Curator, and Academic Advisor to L-Art Gallery), Mr. Wu Jian (renowned lawyer and collector), Mr. Liu Jiaming (collector), Kou Jianghui (Vice President of Tianjin Academy of Fine Arts), Ma Chi (Director of Tianjin Art Museum), and Lin Shuchuan (Deputy Director of the Art Museum of Nanjing University of the Arts) each delivered remarks. The atmosphere was both dignified and vibrant, marking a significant step in L-Art Gallery's strategic development.

Mr. Li Guohua, General Manager of L-Art Gallery Shenzhen, was the first to deliver remarks. He reviewed L-Art's ten-year development since its beginning in Chengdu and articulated the positioning and vision for the Shenzhen space. He stated that L-Art Gallery will be dedicated to promoting the diverse expressions of contemporary art, focusing on the international narrative of "Chinese value," and building a contemporary art platform for dialogue and exchange.

Following this, Mr. Lü Peng addressed the audience. As a long-term researcher and proponent of Chinese contemporary art, he noted that in the current era of uncertainty, art continues to hold irreplaceable spiritual value and social significance. He added that L-Art Gallery plans to establish spaces in several key global cities, resolutely promoting Chinese artists onto the international stage and continuously expanding the global influence of Chinese contemporary art.

In his speech, Mr. Wu Jian extended his warmest congratulations on the opening of L-Art Gallery and Zhang Zhaoying's exhibition. He enthusiastically expressed his admiration and recognition for the artist's work, stating that it possesses both profound academic value and unique market potential, promising a bright future.

The three guests—Kou Jianghui, Vice President of Tianjin Academy of Fine Arts; Ma Chi, Director of Tianjin Art Museum; and Lin Shuchuan, Deputy Director of the Art Museum of Nanjing University of the Arts—also spoke in succession. Vice President Kou congratulated Zhang Zhaoying on his new exhibition and commended his achievements in both his long-term teaching and artistic practice. Director Ma spoke about Zhang Zhaoying's cross-regional life experiences, analyzing the relationship between the culture of Tianjin and the artist's practice. Deputy Director Lin shared personal observations from his long friendship with the artist, highlighting Zhang's unique visual thinking and sensitivity to images, which he considers a crucial entry point for understanding his art.

Curator Gan Ting then explained the exhibition's theme to the audience: Lifelong Picture. He noted that the word "Lifelong" (终身) continues the artist's previous "Lifelong" series, emphasizing a continuity in his personal history. The second part, "Yinghua" (映画), which is translated here as "Picture," primarily stems from Zhang Zhaoying's recent and extensive appropriation of film elements in his new works. Furthermore, when the characters "Ying" (to project/reflect) and "Hua" (painting/image) are separated, they function as both nouns and verbs, aptly reflecting Zhang Zhaoying's methodology: using an excess of images to reflect and refer to the contemporary reality of the Society of the Spectacle.

Finally, artist Zhang Zhaoying shared his personal journey of bringing the Lifelong Picture exhibition from its conception to its realization, expressing his profound gratitude for the support and help he received from all parties.

During the subsequent reception, guests lingered in the fantastical visual field woven from classical painting and cinematic scenes, engaging in deep and pleasant discussions. The atmosphere was exceptionally lively.

The launch of L-Art Gallery Shenzhen is not only a key milestone in the institution's expansion but also injects new vitality into the contemporary art scene of the Greater Bay Area. Lifelong Picture will be open to the public and will be on view until mid-January 2026.