iang
Spirit
Legacy
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Vision •
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About the Artist by Dan Corazzi
Although ZS’s initial training, to be a professional artist, took place in his homeland of China, he completed his training in the United States and began working as portrait artist when a serendipitous event happened that changed the direction of his career plans and his life as a fine artist. One day, while driving on a New England highway, he saw a roadside sign that “piqued” his interest and his curiosity. The sign was advertising the nearby location of a Native American site – which he subsequently visited. ZS was so captivated by what he saw, during that brief visit, that he decided to devote himself to learning everything he could about the various Native American culturesspecifically the tribes of the Great Plains Indians. And in order to learn more about the Native Americans’ way of life, he began visiting the Reservations of the Blackfeet, the Crow, the Cheyenne and the Lakota tribes.
After almost thirty years since he was first introduced to the various Native American cultures, his passion for respectfully chronicling their way of life remains steadfast. He still makes periodic visits to the Reservations of the American west, and he continues to schedule individual/private photo opportunities to gather fresh information. ZS does this because he is committed to accurately depicting and meticulously recording, for future generations to appreciate, the life of the American Plains Indians. And through his efforts to maintain the authenticity of his work, each and every one of the paintings, that he creates, “tells a story”. This singular dedication that he has for his subject matter, along with his superior artistic capabilities, is the reason why ZS Liang is one of today’s preeminent artists who depicts the true life and history of the American. Plains Indians. His magnificent historical paintings can be found in the homes of major western art collectors, in various public institutions, and in a number of museums throughout the Country - most notably in the Raymond James Museum (St Petersburg, FL) where over 18 of his Masterworks are included as part of the Museum’s permanent art collection.
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Moose
Deep in an Autumn colored forest, this lone brave is using his horn to attract and hunt a moose that he sees in a nearby stand of trees.
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Caller 34" x 32" Oil
Z.S. Liang was born in China in 1953 and was raised in a family of artists. He studied at the Central Academy of Fine Arts in Beijing, and later furthered his art studies in the United States. He earned his BFA in painting at the Massachusetts College of Arts in 1986 and his MFA in painting at Boston University in 1989.
Liang received his first great inspiration in this country while studying and painting the Wampanoag Indian culture at the Outdoor Museum in Plymouth, Massachusetts. This newfound interest fired his imagination, and he began to focus his painting primarily on Native American cultures and their traditional way of life. During the ensuing years of field research, he has made many connections and friends among Native tribes from the East Coast to the Rocky Mountains. Liang’s obvious passion for the Indians as a people, coupled with his emphasis on historical accuracy, adds strength and truth to his portrayals.
Liang’s works are in the permanent collections of the American National Portrait Gallery, Autry Museum, Briscoe Western Art Museum, Harvard University, and the West Point Museum of the United States Military Academy.
This catalogue represents a portion of works available. For more information on additional works, please view the entire show online at www.legacygallery.com. Sale will be conducted by draw and live auction. Those in attendance at the opening will be given preference on the sale of selected items. Please contact the gallery for more details, (480) 945-1113.
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Vision • Spirit • Legacy Z.S. L iang & K y L e P o LZ in
Show & Sale · Scottsdale, AZ
Saturday, October 22nd, 2022 10:00 am - 11:00 am
“Art the Way I See It” with Kyle Polzin at Legacy Gallery
11:00 am - 12:00 pm
“From East to West” with Z.S. Liang at Legacy Gallery
Artists’ Reception & Sale
5:00 - 7:00 pm
draw will start at 6:00 pm, live auction to follow
7178 Main Street · Scottsdale, AZ 85251 · 480-945-1113 225 Canyon Road · Santa Fe, NM 85701
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Beating the Iron Horse 38" x 60"
Oil When the powerful steam belching locomotives initially began crossing the American west, the Plains Indians were in awe of what they called the “Iron Horse”. So from time to time, when the steam locomotives would pass their camp sites, groups of braves often would mount their ponies and race alongside the Iron Horse to prove that their ponies could beat the Iron Horse.
Every Z.S. Liang work purchased at this event includes a copy of his book, Z.S. Liang: Native Trails Fresh Tracks
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Protectors of the Lakota 40" x 30" Oil
From the 1850s to the 1870s, there were numerous battles/wars between the Plains Indians and the U.S. Cavalry that resulted in the formation of many Indian reservations. In this painting, a very large band of Lakota warriors stand ready to protect fellow tribesmen who are attempting to seek their freedom by breaking out of a nearby reservation.
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During a twilight lit evening, this brave is on a calm river enjoying the simple pleasure of spear fishing from his couch bark canoe.
9 Calm Water 34" x 48" Oil
Where the Rivers Begin 48" x 36" Oil
These three Blackfeet braves have paused, at a waterfall on their ancestral land, to contemplate the history of their ancestors and the uncertainty of their own future.
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Saying Goodbye Before a Hunting Trip
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Oil
A young brave expresses sadness and love, to his soon to be bride, as he is getting ready to depart on a long trip to distant lands.
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36"
25"
The Warning Sign
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Oil
A group of Blackfeet hunters are passing through enemy Crow hunting grounds when they come upon a “warning sign”, which consists of a shield and an owl feather signifying death to trespassers, that they choose to ignore.
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46"
34"
of Counting Coup 36" x 55" Oil
Touching an enemy in battle or capturing a weapon from an enemy, is considered a “coup” for a warrior. In this scene, a single Lakota brave is recounting stories of the many coups he earned in a recent encounter with a band of Crow enemies.
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Showing signs of fearlessness was very important for the Plains Indians and in this scene, several Crow warriors are participating in a bravery ceremony that will enable them to demonstrate, to their enemies, that they have “no fear”.
16 Brave Marks 46" x 36" Oil
The Signal 30" x 26" Oil
This Cheyenne scout is signaling his fellow braves, by waving a brightly colored blanket, to continue moving in his direction.
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Solitary Hunter
Oil
Having developed his necessary survival skills by spending many months alone in the woods as a youth, this adult brave takes a drink at a stream during a solo hunting trip to secure the provisions that his family will need for the coming winter.
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32" x 32"
Awards & Accolades
Awards
• 2018 - Sam Houston Award for painting, Briscoe Western Art Museum
• 2011 - Master of the American West Purchase Award, Autry Museum
• 2009 - David P. Usher Patrons Choice Award, Autry Museum
• 2005 - President’s Award for Excellence, Oil Painters of America
• 1998 - Best of Show and People’s Choice Awards, the American Society of Portrait Artists
Selected Collections
• The James Museum of Western & Wildlife Art, St Petersburg, FL
• The Autry Museum, Los Angeles, CA
• The Briscoe Western Art Museum, San Antonio, TX
• The American National Portrait Gallery
• West Point Museum of United States Military Academy
• Harvard University
• Jackson Hole Airport
Books and Publications
• Z.S. Liang: Native Trails Fresh Tracks by Z.S. Liang and Tom Saubert, 2014
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20 7178 Main Street · Scottsdale, AZ 85251 · 480-945-1113 225 Canyon Road · Santa Fe, NM 87501 www.legacygallery.com The Spirit of the Plains 16" x 20" Oil This is a portrait of a proud, brave and determined chief who never surrendered to his enemies.