After graduating from college, Zhang Hong went to the University of California, Berkeley, and studied under Gao Juhan, an expert in art history. Through this, he got to know Wang, an ink painter and collector. After his master's degree, he decided to give up his doctoral studies and return to new york with C. C. Wang to learn painting techniques and appreciation with him. In new york, Zhang Hong was entrusted by Sotheby's to help hold the China art auction, and later helped Sotheby's to set up the China Painting and Calligraphy Department. He joined Sotheby's in 1978 and left in 1993, while continuing to follow C. C. Wang. After leaving Sotheby's, Zhang Hong worked as an expert in China painting and calligraphy in Huaigutang (the most important Gu Shuhua gallery in China) from 65438 to 0996. During this period, Zhang Hong was able to devote more time to artistic creation.