Today we’d like to introduce you to Shixiong Zhang

Hi Shixiong, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?

Hello everyone, I am Shixiong Zhang. Currently, I live in the San Francisco Bay Area. Interestingly, my art began in art therapy sessions at a psychiatric hospital.

When I was about ten years old, I studied drawing for a while. Such as sketches, watercolors, and traditional Chinese paintings. This was my only artistic foundation. After this, I never thought that I would be connected with art again.

I have been having some mental problems since 2018. I was diagnosed with depression in 2020 and there are many reasons behind it. In April 2024, I was diagnosed with bipolar disorder, and on April 14, 2024, I was admitted to a mental hospital. I was severely depressed for the first month, and gradually I started to get involved in art therapy. A month later I completed my first piece of work in the hospital, “Bipolar Disorder.” It mainly describes the half-year of life before being admitted to the hospital.

Since then, I found that I could express my emotions through painting, the summer after I was discharged from the hospital last year. I probably spent 27 works. Finally, in the last fall, I decided to go back to school and start studying fine art.

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?

It has only been more than ten months since we have been on this road. After I returned to school, I was often filled with self-doubt and self-denial. Like, did I start too late? There are already so many outstanding students with excellent basic skills, and their paintings have begun to be exhibited. And I am just a rookie or beginner in art.

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?

I think although I am just a beginner or new to art. But my art is full of my style. I love contemporary art, I love artists like Keith Haring and Basquiat, and I love abstract art. Because I think this is a better way for me to express my emotions and feelings.

Do you have any advice for those looking to network or find a mentor?

For me, I just believe what you believe and keep doing what are you doing right now.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: northzsx

Image Credits

Image1–4: @northzsx (Instagram)
Image 5,9,10:@seraphlia(Instagram)
Image 6:@qinghuikk(Instagram)
Image 7–8:@northzsx(Instagram)