Can Portrait No. 02

This original figurative drawing explores body language, physical presence, and the visual classification of individuality.

Zheng Hao’s The Can Archive begins with the idea that every person can be transformed through the artist’s gaze. Observation becomes a process of selection: certain characteristics are retained while others disappear.

In Can Portrait No. 02, clothing and posture become central to that transformation. The striped garment emphasizes the width and curvature of the torso, while the wide stance gives the figure a strong sense of weight and stability.

The artist does not attempt to reproduce the subject photographically. Instead, proportion is exaggerated and simplified until the person becomes a recognizable visual type without losing a sense of individual character.

This tension between individuality and classification lies at the center of the series. Each person is reduced into a compact visual form, yet each “can” remains different from the next.

Through this process, Zheng Hao turns figurative sketching into a form of human observation—examining how posture, clothing, gesture, and silhouette shape the way a person is remembered.

Can Portrait No. 02 captures a male figure through an exaggerated sense of volume, stance, and clothing. The subject stands with his legs apart and his upper body leaning slightly forward. A striped top expands across the torso, while loose trousers extend downward into a broad, grounded silhouette. Rather than relying on detailed realism, Zheng Hao uses a small number of decisive lines to preserve the figure’s physical attitude. The weight of the body becomes one of the defining characteristics of the drawing. Shoulders, torso, hands, and trousers combine into a compact visual structure that immediately separates this figure from the other individuals in the series. Within The Can Archive, Zheng Hao imagines himself as a vast canning machine. People enter through his eyes and are processed through observation, memory, and drawing before being transformed into distinct visual “cans.” In this work, what is preserved is not simply a face. It is a way of occupying space—a recognizable posture, silhouette, and bodily presence compressed into a singular image on paper.

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Each artwork is carefully prepared and securely packaged to help ensure safe delivery. Protective wrapping, reinforced corner protection, and sturdy outer packaging are used to safeguard the artwork throughout transit. Package Dimensions: 34 × 42 × 9 cm Package Weight: 0.8 kg If you require custom framing or professional mounting services, please contact us by email before placing your order or prior to shipment. As framing requirements, packaging specifications, destination, and shipping conditions may vary for each artwork, framing and shipping costs will be individually assessed and quoted on a per-artwork basis. Our team will recommend an appropriate packing and shipping solution based on the specific work to help ensure it arrives safely and ready for your space.

As an original sketch on paper, this artwork should be displayed and stored with particular attention to light, humidity, and surface protection. Keep the work away from direct sunlight and prolonged exposure to strong artificial light, as excessive UV exposure may gradually discolor the paper and affect the drawn surface. Display the artwork in a stable indoor environment away from excessive humidity, heat, and significant temperature fluctuations. Avoid positioning it near radiators, fireplaces, air-conditioning vents, or damp areas. For long-term display, archival-quality matting and backing materials together with UV-protective glazing are recommended. The artwork should not come into direct contact with non-archival adhesives or acidic materials. Avoid touching the drawing surface with bare hands. When handling is necessary, carefully hold the sheet by its edges with clean, dry hands or appropriate protective gloves.