Zhijian Qian

Zhijian Qian is an Associate Professor in the Department of Humanities at the School of Arts & Sciences, New York City College of Technology. He teaches courses such as ARTH1108 Art of Asia, ARTH1110 Islamic Art, and ARTH1106 Modern Art, while offering expertise in art history through his research and curatorial work.

• Education
  • Ph.D., M.A. in Art History from New York University's Institute of Fine Arts
  • M.A. in Art History from Central Academy of Fine Arts, Beijing
  • B.A. in English from Beijing Normal University

His research focuses on sinicized modernism in 20th-century Chinese art, nationalism/globalism dynamics in contemporary Chinese art, and the evolving role of politics in modern and contemporary Chinese art. He also explores cultural identity, ethnicity, and transnationalism in the practices of Chinese diaspora artists.

Qian’s publications and curatorial projects highlight his work in intercultural dialogue and ink art innovation. Notable examples include coining concepts like 'ink as medium' and analyzing transcultural practices in Chinese diaspora art. His scholarship bridges Western methodologies with Chinese art discourse.

• Curatorial Highlights
  • The Invisible Eye: Video Work by Ren Lun (2019)
  • Blurred Boundaries (2018)
  • Open Books: A New Dialogue (2017)
  • Mind Flows with Brush (2016)