10 Questions with Sophie Dezhao Jin

Sophie Dezhao (b. 2002) Jin is a multimedia visual artist originally from Beijing, China, who explores the intricate dynamics of human relationships through her diverse practice. Working across various mediums, she delves into themes of connection—whether with others, with nature, or with the resonances of the past. Her work is distinguished by its thoughtful engagement with identity, memory, and the human experience.

Jin earned her B.A. in Visual Media Arts Production from Emerson College. Her art has been featured in numerous group exhibitions internationally, including the 2024 Milan International Art Week with ISOLART Gallery in Milan, Italy; To Be Seen, To Be Heard, To Be Known at Huret & Spector Gallery in Boston, USA; and Identity Cycle at ISOLART Gallery, Florence, Italy. Her work has also been showcased at the Florence Contemporary Art Exchange Exhibition in Florence, Italy, and Into the Night at Loosen Art Gallery in London, UK.

Currently based in Los Angeles, Jin continues to expand her creative practice, drawing inspiration from her multicultural background and the interplay of tradition and modernity.

www.sophiedezhaojin.com | @sophie_.jin

Absent Presence | Project Description

Someone once close to my heart vanished overnight, all that remains are the marks and memories left on me. Still, in her absence, I feel her presence running through my blood, reckoning with my heartbeat. For years, I lingered on lost connections, repressing memories, hoping the days I breathe can fade away the pain. But, still, she exists in me.

I can never escape from my body, so I can never escape from her absent presence. Eventually, I must decide to face it and allow the loss to rush through me.

Like falling leaves from a tree, they decay into the earth and gradually disappear. Only vanishing to the naked eye but still felt through our senses. It's all there with us, if we embrace it with our open hearts.

Special thanks to Ruihan "Rae" Fu and Lipsky for assisting.

INTERVIEW

You grew up in Beijing before moving to Los Angeles, where you currently live and work. How do these two largely different cities influence your work? And which one do you feel is closer to your practice?

Beijing always holds a special place in my heart. It's the place where I return to reconnect with my sense of belonging and roots. The deep-rooted culture and history are where I first drew inspiration from the layers of tradition and heritage embedded in my being. The vibrant color palette of the city—reds, yellows, blues, greens, golds, and natural wood tones—each carries profound cultural significance and spirituality. These elements are always alive in my work, albeit often in quiet, almost subconscious ways.
Los Angeles, on the other hand, offers a different kind of environment where nature and pop culture collide. I currently live here, so its influences are perhaps more visible in my recent works. Los Angeles is a city where I find my work deeply intertwined with the natural world, largely due to my love for hiking. The quiet beauty of nature here provides me with endless inspiration.

Your work has been featured in international exhibitions from Florence to Boston. How have these experiences shaped your artistic voice?

Traveling and experiencing the world outside my own familiar spaces has always been a source of inspiration. In Florence, the air itself seems steeped in history, and witnessing masterpieces like "The Birth of Venus" firsthand leaves an indelible mark on me. The depth and texture of the Renaissance in that city challenged me to reconsider what art could express about humanity.
Boston, with its academic atmosphere, the city felt like a space that constantly pushed me to refine my techniques and tounderstand art not just as emotion but as a form of disciplined expression. So I guess Florence is where I learned to allow myself to be free and exploratory, while Boston helped me be grounded and focus on skills.

Your practice spans multiple mediums, including photography and mixed media. How do you determine the best medium to convey a particular concept?

Art has its own rhythm, and for me, the medium always follows the concept, not the other way around. Each project feels like an evolving dialogue between the idea and myself, where the right medium naturally reveals itself based on the story I aim to convey. If a concept calls for movement or an exploration of temporality, video often becomes the most fitting medium. For themes that demand a sense of permanence, introspection, or physicality, I turn to photography—sometimes layering it with sculptural elements to introduce texture and depth.
Ultimately, the choice of medium is deeply intuitive, guided by what the work needs to fully come to life. It's less about adhering to a predefined formula and more about responding to the essence of the idea, allowing the medium to amplify its voice and presence in a way that feels authentic and resonant for that moment.

Much of your work explores human relationships and echoes of past experiences. What drives your focus on these themes, and how do you hope viewers connect with them?

As humans, we are inherently driven to seek connection—it's a fundamental part of our existence. What captivates me most is the unpredictability and impermanence of these connections: who we meet, how they shape us, and the stories they leave behind. Each encounter, no matter how fleeting, leaves a unique and irreplaceable imprint on our lives.
Through my work, I aim to preserve and reflect on these ephemeral moments, documenting experiences that can never be recreated because they are so deeply tied to the individuals and circumstances involved. My hope is that viewers find a part of themselves within these narratives—whether it's a memory of a distant connection, the echoes of a past relationship, or a sense of solace in the shared complexity of human relationships. Ultimately, my goal is to foster a sense of belonging and remind us all of the beauty in even the briefest encounters that shape who we are.

Let's talk about your series Absent Presence. Can you describe the process behind creating the series? What emotions or techniques guided its development?

Absent Presence delves into the paradox of loss—how someone can be absent physically yet remain profoundly present in memory and emotional imprint. The "shadow" or blurred figure that appears in the photographs symbolizes this intangible presence—something you sense deeply but can never fully grasp. On a personal level, this series became my way of processing grief and understanding the lingering impact of this absence, as well as the weight I've carried through it.
In terms of technique, I've always been fascinated by double and multiple exposures, which allow me to create layered, spectral images. These methods visually articulate the intangible, giving form to the presence of someone who no longer occupies physical space but whose essence lingers. The process felt as much about discovery as creation—a way to navigate complex emotions and give voice to what cannot easily be expressed in words.

In Absent Presence, you confront loss and memory. How does this piece reflect your broader exploration of emotional and relational dynamics?

Creating Absent Presence allowed me to confront and process past memories that I had once suppressed or denied. There's a profound sense of healing in giving form to emotions that resist verbalization. Through this series, I sought to navigate the intricate blend of love, rage, disappointment, attachment, and sorrow tied to a relationship and a time that now exists only in memory.
For me, when words fall short, art becomes a vital language—a way to make sense of our deepest and most elusive emotions. Absent Presence reflects my broader exploration of emotional and relational dynamics by capturing the intangible: the unresolved feelings and fleeting moments that linger in memory, shaping who we are. In this way, the series not only articulates personal loss but also invites others to reflect on the universal human experience of navigating love, loss, and remembrance.

Your work often invites introspection. What role does audience interpretation play in your storytelling process?

I find immense joy in witnessing how audiences interpret my work. At openings, I often listen to diverse reactions, and it's always fascinating to see how each viewer's unique perspective shapes the narrative in unexpected ways. For me, each piece is just the beginning of a larger story—one that is completed through the audience's interpretation.
Their personal connections and insights bring layers of depth and meaning that go beyond my original intent, turning the work into something dynamic and ever-evolving. In this way, the viewer becomes a true collaborator in the storytelling process, making the art a shared journey of discovery and introspection.

How do you balance personal narrative with universality in your art, ensuring it resonates across diverse audiences?

While my work often draws from personal experiences, it's not the specific narrative I focus on—it's the emotional truth underlying it. By grounding my art in universal emotions and shared human experiences, the work transcends my individual story and creates space for diverse audiences to find their own connections. In this way, what begins as deeply personal transforms into something universally resonant, fostering a sense of shared understanding and empathy across cultural and emotional boundaries.

Are there any upcoming exhibitions or projects you're particularly excited about?

Yes! I'm thrilled to be working on a new series centered around the incredible individuals I've encountered since moving to Los Angeles—people I deeply admire and who have profoundly shaped my experience here. This upcoming project will take the form of portraiture photography, but with a focus on capturing the subtle dynamics of connection and the unique narratives that emerge from these relationships. It feels like a natural extension of my ongoing exploration of human relationships, but approached from a more intimate and personal perspective. I'm especially excited about how this series will celebrate the cultural diversity and vibrant energy of Los Angeles while contributing to a broader dialogue about identity and belonging.

Looking ahead, are there new themes or mediums you're eager to explore in your evolving practice?

I'm certainly interested in broadening my thematic focus while remaining deeply rooted in the authenticity of lived experience, which resonates universally. As for mediums, I've recently been delving into alternative photographic processes and exploring interdisciplinary approaches that blend different materials with photographic prints. My work often seeks to challenge conventional perceptions, and I'm intrigued by how far I can push the boundaries of a traditional photographic print—transforming something familiar into a groundbreaking and unexpected form of expression. This exploration reflects my ongoing commitment to innovation, connecting diverse audiences, and contributing to the global discourse on contemporary art.

Artist’s Talk

Al-Tiba9 Interviews is a promotional platform for artists to articulate their vision and engage them with our diverse readership through a published art dialogue. The artists are interviewed by Mohamed Benhadj, the founder & curator of Al-Tiba9, to highlight their artistic careers and introduce them to the international contemporary art scene across our vast network of museums, galleries, art professionals, art dealers, collectors, and art lovers across the globe.