10 Questions with Zhenyuan Shi

Zhenyuan Shi is an artist and designer originally from Shanghai, China, and currently lives and creates in New York. Zhenyuan graduated in 2018 from the Tisch School of the Arts with a BFA in Film&TV production and continued to obtain an MFA in Design&Technology at Parsons School of Design. Having lived through environments where the direct expression of self could bring danger to the marginalized as a queer immigrant of color, they became intrigued by capturing the nuanced, complex, and intense emotional experiences through poetic imagery. Their works have been shown in galleries such as Usagi NY, Thames Art Center, The EVAC, etc.

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ARTIST STATEMENT

Zhenyuan’s work explores the poetic expression of pain and complex emotions experienced by bodies living under systems of oppression and exile. Having lived through environments where the direct expression of marginalized people is often censored and repressed, Zhenyuan often uses a lot of symbolism and abstract visual language in their work. Typically they start the piece by distilling what they want to express into poetry, then translate the poem into imagery. In Zhenyuan’s work, they play with secretive ways of communication through symbols, movements, and imagery to create spaces for catharsis and tenderness through the cracks of pain and oppression.

Fading at 1/1000, Risograph on paper,8 1/2x13 in, 2022 © Zhenyuan Shi

INTERVIEW

First of all, tell us about your background. When did you start getting involved with

As a child growing up in the culturally rich metropolis of Shanghai, I was exposed to a variety of art styles and techniques, which sparked my interest in art and storytelling. I kept a notebook to visually record my thoughts and emotions, and frequent gallery and museum visits with my parents influenced my appreciation for art. Observation and imitation continue to play a significant role in my artistic process as I learn more about myself and my identity via the work of artists I respect. I created my own thoughts, subjects, mediums, and materials to explore in my paintings over time. Now, I can put my ideas into visual art and share them with the world.

You studied Film and TV production, before turning to visual art. What inspired you to pursue a career in the visual art field?

Before I began studying film and television, I was already fascinated by visual art. During my years as a filmmaker, storyboarding and moodboarding were vital components of my creative process. Studying in New York City furthered my pursuit of a career in visual art, as the city's vibrant and diverse art environment broadened my awareness of the field's breadth and depth.
Working on film projects, which frequently necessitate collaboration with a large number of personnel, has taught me the importance of having creative control over my work. Visual art enables me to develop artistically and express myself with complete autonomy and at my own speed.

The Path That Takes You There, Risograph on paper, 8x10 in, 2022 © Zhenyuan Shi

How would you define yourself as an artist nowadays, and what is your personal aim?

I regard myself as an artist whose artistic work investigates their inner self. Through abstraction, symbolism, and the flow of awareness, my art serves as a playground where I can explore the unknown. In my opinion, the relationship between an artist and their work is analogous to that between a photograph and its subject. The snapshot captures the subject's mental state, essence, and feelings. My goal as an artist is to establish a communication bridge through my artwork that allows me and the audience to communicate beyond the limitations of time and space.

Your work starts with poetry, which you then transform into images. How did you come up with this concept? And what messages do you want to convey?

My artwork is frequently influenced by poetry that resonates with me. Even though poems are frequently abstract and concise, they have the ability to trigger specific memories and emotions, which I find fascinating. As someone who is always generating an internal stream of words, I find it most natural to initially express my ideas through poetry or brief prose.
I am especially fascinated by the creative potential of establishing a rhythm in poetry and how little variations in rhythm may trigger a variety of feelings. The same is true of my art, in which I attempt to convey tales and express me through the spatial interaction between elements, color contrast, and other visual rhythm-creating factors.
I frequently tackle topics such as exile, the LGBT experience, and identity, which tend to be on the darker and heavier side of my work's themes. I prefer to create environments and spaces that elicit common experiences and feelings within a certain community as opposed to delivering messages. My work "A Nightmare That Never Ends," for instance, depicts the immigrant experience as a condition of tension between longing and disappointment, hope and despair.

At the same time, your pieces are full of symbols. How do you choose the ones to incorporate into your work? And what do they represent for you?

When it comes to the selection of symbols for my work, there are normally two sources: Poems that I compose at the beginning of my process, as well as any symbols that have significant importance in relation to the subject I'm working on. Typically, the symbols that appear in my poetry have a great deal of emotional and personal value to me. I would suggest that most of these symbols stem from catharsis and self-expression. I frequently use a book titled "Book Of Symbols" for information on the remaining symbols and how they present themselves in other cultures, artworks, historical objects, etc. In addition, if I find myself resonating with a piece of art, I examine the symbols, if any, utilized by the artist. Then I will explore its significance and how the artist communicates themselves via these symbols.
By using symbols with both personal and cultural or historical importance, I am able to connect with my own emotions and experiences while simultaneously creating a common language that enables the audience to relate to and comprehend my work. I believe that symbols have the ability to transcend time and space and can provoke feelings and memories in the spectator, which makes my work accessible and powerful. Through the visual and emotional language of symbols, I hope to establish a genuine connection between myself and the audience.

In your statement, you mention catharsis and tenderness as the goals of your work. Can you tell us more about it?

My ultimate goal as an artist is to create a safe and intimate space for the audience to reflect, process, and heal their own issues through art. Through the exploration of challenging and intimate issues in my work, I hope to establish a shared feeling of empathy and connection with the audience. I believe that art has the ability to break down barriers and bring people together, despite their diverse life challenges. Through my work, I wish to provide a moment of consolation, tenderness, and comprehension that transcends time and space.

Sunshower, Risograph on paper, 10x14 in, 2022 © Zhenyuan Shi

What are your sources of inspiration? Do you have any artists or movements you particularly look up to?

Artists such as Gitte Maria Moller, Sung Hwa Kim, and Chris Lloyd, who exemplify the essence of metaphorical, symbolic, and emotive art, continue to inspire me. Their creative use of abstraction, symbolism, and atmospheric portrayals in their visual language is compelling, as is their capacity to transpose their artistic style across a variety of mediums and materials.
I am particularly attracted by the independent publishing scene, where Cold Cube Press, Lucky Risograph, and Can Can Press are reviving the print medium and revolutionizing the zine format through their artistic experiments. Their incessant questioning and investigation of the print medium motivate me to incorporate new techniques and formats into my own work.

How do you promote your work? And what do you think about the art community and market?

Several strategies are employed to boost the visibility of my print-based work. Attending events such as art book fairs, print exhibitions, and local printmaking workshops, I network and engage actively within the printmaking and small publishing communities. Not only does this help me discover inspiration from other artists, but it also increases my audience. Second, I search for open call opportunities from art-focused publishers, galleries, and art competitions, allowing me to reach an audience outside my local neighborhood.
The art market and community absolutely inspire me. The art world can differ significantly based on media, artistic philosophy, and intended audience. Recent exploration of research-based art has broadened my knowledge of new art methods, subject matter expertise, and art communities. In the contemporary art scene, I regard myself as an explorer, constantly exploring new territories and perfecting my artistic technique along the way.

In reality, dreaming of dream, Risograph on paper, 10x14 in, 2022 © Zhenyuan Shi

Is there anything else you would like to achieve career-wise? Do you have any projects you have been meaning to start?

My artistic work is currently focused on print and paper-based mediums. This year, I intend to experiment with diverse materials and investigate the relationship between expression and its depiction on various surfaces. Currently, I am developing a new series that explores the role of memory in intimacy, personal history, and the past and present. In this series, I am eager to experiment with silkscreening and incorporate glass, mirror, and clay in order to express myself with greater diversity and precision.

Finally, where can our readers find your works next? Do you have any upcoming exhibitions or publications?

My work is available on my website, possum.press. Additionally, you may follow me on Instagram to learn about upcoming exhibitions and books!

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