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STELLA
ZHANG

EXPLORER OF CULTURAL IDENTITY AND SOCIAL NARRATIVES

ABOUT STELLA ZHANG

PERSONAL BACKGROUND AND CREATIVE APPROACH

Stella Zhang was born in Beijing, China, into a family deeply rooted in the arts. Her father, a renowned brush-and-ink painter, and her early education at the Central Academy of Fine Arts in Beijing significantly influenced her artistic path. Despite the cultural richness of her upbringing, Zhang experienced feelings of isolation and longing for a broader perspective, leading her to move to Japan and later to the United States. Her journey through different cultural landscapes has deeply shaped her artistic voice, blending Eastern traditions with Western contemporary art practices.

Zhang’s art transcends simple visual appeal, serving as a medium for exploring complex emotional and spiritual landscapes. Her choice of materials and techniques reflects a deliberate effort to evoke familiarity and intimacy, encouraging viewers to engage in a personal reflection that borders on meditation. Her work often challenges conventional boundaries, reflecting her internal struggles and the universal quest for self-expression.

In the United States, Zhang has continued to evolve her artistic narrative, drawing inspiration from her experiences as an immigrant and a woman. Her role as an Artist-in-Residence at Stanford University and her guest lecturing position there highlight her commitment to sharing her artistic journey and insights with a broader audience. Through her work, Zhang invites us into a dialogue about identity, emotion, and the human experience, bridging cultural divides with her universal language of art.

Untitled-13
2018
Mixed Media
32″ x 75″ x 5″

WORKS

THE VISIONARY ART OF STELLA ZHANG

Stella Zhang’s artwork stands as a bold statement in the realm of abstract art, incorporating a profound exploration of gender, identity, and emotion. Her use of unconventional materials and forms invites viewers into a tactile and visually immersive experience, challenging them to perceive beyond the superficial. Zhang’s art is not just seen but felt, encouraging a kinesthetic connection that transcends traditional art-viewer interactions.

Her installations and sculptures, characterized by their intricate use of fabrics, threads, and organic materials, embody a fluidity and depth that echo her multicultural experiences. By intertwining elements of traditional Chinese and Japanese aesthetics with modern abstract expressions, Zhang creates a dialogue between past and present, east and west, personal and universal. Each piece serves as a narrative fragment, a window into her inner world and her reflections on human nature.

Zhang’s exhibitions, notably her solo shows at prestigious venues like Art Basel, Hong Kong, and various galleries across the United States and Asia, showcase the breadth of her artistic inquiry. Her works not only decorate spaces but transform them, inviting audiences to navigate and interact with a landscape of emotion and thought. Through her art, Zhang challenges viewers to confront their own perceptions, biases, and feelings, facilitating a shared journey of discovery and introspection.

0-Viewpoint-8-13
2016
Mixed Media
43″ x 33″ x 6″
Boundless-3 (part of installation)
2023
Mixed Media
Time passes
2023
Mixed Media
14″ x 18″ x 18″
Body’s Memory (part of installation)
2023
Mixed Media

ARTIST STATEMENT

REFLECTING ON POWER, IDENTITY, AND HUMAN EXPERIENCE

My art serves as a platform for the unearthing of concealed conflicts, which relentlessly test my capacity to resonate with the collective struggles pertaining to power, inequality, and identity. These intricate subjects captivate my creative spirit, compelling me to explore the underpinnings of the global power structure and the associated value system that prevails. The relentless pursuit of power within our society, coupled with the often selfish and norm-driven behaviors that accompany it, forms a pervasive social malignancy within my reality.

The essence of my artistic endeavor is fundamentally rooted in a response to this profound reality. The persistent images that surround me gnaw at my consciousness, serving as the visceral core of my artistic message. My aspiration is to beckon the viewer into this visual realm, hoping that they, too, will be stirred to react and, in quiet moments, contemplate the conceivable paths forward.  At the core of my creative approach lies the deep exploration of the human body and the myriad facets of human nature. I’ve found that expressions through the human body serve as my paramount means of communication. This method, which I often refer to as the “Way,” is an interpretation drawn from the intricacies of my personal journey, encompassing life-altering experiences such as migration to a foreign land, as well as the more subtle yet equally profound occurrences in my life.

The materials I employ in my artistic works are unassuming, ordinary fabrics, deliberately chosen to evoke collective memories and unite us in the exploration of universal fears and desires. These fabrics are malleable, susceptible to being stretched, sewn, and molded, allowing them to transform into a second skin. The mixed media approach affords me the freedom to transcend conventional boundaries, shedding the superfluous, subjective elements, and presenting a more universal perspective.

Having grown up in China before immigrating to the United States, my artistic language adopts a multicultural lens, embracing both
Eastern and Western aesthetic concepts, resulting in a language that is minimal and organic. With every piece I create, my intent remains unwavering – to spark fresh curiosity and challenge the viewer to critically examine the societal boundaries and rules that are so often passively accepted.

In this ever-evolving exploration of power, identity, and the human experience, my art stands as a mirror to our shared struggles and aspirations. Through it, I aspire to connect with others, inviting them to partake in a reflective journey that traverses the intricate web of our collective existence.

Story of a Girl
2022
Mixed Media
30″ x 16″
Incursion-1 &-2
2020
Mixed Media
15″ x 31″ x 14″ & 42″ x 36″ x 5″
Untitled-11+12
2018
Mixed Media
50″ x 33″ x 4 & 42″ x 29″ x 4″

RESUME

EDUCATION, EXHIBITIONS, AWARDS, AND TEACHING EXPERIENCE

Education:

  • MFA, Tokyo Art University, Tokyo, Japan
  • BFA, Central Academy Of Fine Arts, Beijing, China

Solo Exhibitions:

  • 2021 – Qualia Contemporary Art, Palo Alto, CA, US
  • 2020 – Untitled Art Show, San Francisco, CA, US
  • 2018 – Galerie du Monde, Hong Kong
  • 2018 – Wanying Art Museum, Shijiazhuang, China
  • 2016 – Art Basel, Hong Kong
  • 2015 – Art Central, Hong Kong, Hong Kong
  • 2015 – Chinese Culture Center of San Francisco, CA, US

Recognitions:

  • 2023-2024 – Lucas Artists Residency at Montalvo Arts Center
  • 2016-2017 – Artist-in-Residence at Stanford University

Teaching:

  • 2018-2019 – Guest teaching at Central Academy of Fine Art, China
  • 2016-2017 – Guest teaching at Stanford University, USA
0-Viewpoint-2 (Part of installation)
2010
Mixed Media
20″ x 16″ x 10″

CONTACT DETAILS

CONNECT WITH STELLA

Email: stellashuangz@gmail.com

Website: www.stellazhang.net

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/StellaZhang0

Instagram: @stellazhang_0