We recently connected with Tianshu Zhang and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Tianshu thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Can you open up about a risk you’ve taken – what it was like taking that risk, why you took the risk and how it turned out?

In the 4 to 5 years following my undergraduate graduation in 2017, I didn’t immediately choose to pursue art. Instead, I opted for jobs that provided relatively stable income. The only work experience related to art during that time was when I worked as an art teacher. During this period, I frequently traveled between China and the United States, searching for a lifestyle that better suited me.

However, with the outbreak of the pandemic, I found myself with more solitude and had the opportunity to delve deep into my inner world, establishing a profound connection with myself. I began to reflect on what I truly desired.

It was during this period that I made the decision to apply for a graduate program and move to an unfamiliar city. In reality, this idea had been buried within me for many years. I understood that this decision would bring significant changes to my life, such as leaving my previous environment, giving up promising job opportunities, and taking on the financial responsibilities of tuition and future living expenses. However, the time I spent alone during that period strengthened my determination. Consequently, I left my previous job, picked up my paintbrushes once more, quickly prepared my application materials, and decided to invest my savings into my education.

Two years later, I’m now in New York and successfully obtained an MFA degree from the School of Visual Arts. I must admit that my current life is far from the stability of my previous years. Nevertheless, I firmly believe that this is one of the most worthwhile adventures in my life. Each day, my life is filled with vitality and passion.

Tianshu, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

I am a painter who is drawn to work about my own experience of the world. The sense of distance and mystery plays an important role in all my works. My nomadic childhood and family experiences have made me sensitive to emotions and often lament the fleeting beauty of life. I always think about how the environment affects us individually and how each of us responds to the ephemeralness of our surroundings.
I use traditional painting and drawing materials, including oil, acrylics, charcoal, and pastel. The figures in my paintings often take on ambiguous forms and sometimes become incomplete, fusing or fading into the background.With my paintings, I aim to give tangible form to bodily sensations, energy, and things that would otherwise be invisible.

Is there mission driving your creative journey?

In modern society, spiritual emptiness is a widespread issue. I hope that through my work, in the pursuit of beauty and honesty, I can resonate with a portion of the audience, encouraging them to seek the spiritual and inner dimensions of life.

For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?

Being able to pursue art as a profession is one of the happiest things for those who love art. Those who can transform their passion into a lifelong career through hard work are truly fortunate. In the artistic creation, you have the freedom to express both your subjects and your methods. Throughout this process, there’s a continuous journey of self-exploration and self-challenge. It’s a career where you can keep learning and growing throughout your life. Every artist, through their unique means of expression, honestly conveys their thoughts and emotions to others, influencing society in the process.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.tianshuzhangart.com
• Instagram: tian_paint