We recently connected with Ziyi Zhao and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Ziyi, thanks for joining us today. What’s been the most meaningful project you’ve worked on?

Decay of Fruits The first artwork in the Fruit series involved using 200 ceramic fruits to document the decaying process of the five most common fruits I selected over five months. Because I am a very picky eater, I always observe the fruit before eating it to see if there is any connection between it and me. If not, I might not eat it and leave it there. (I know this sounds quite peculiar.) This sometimes results in the fruits I buy going bad even if stored in the refrigerator, resulting in much waste.
Every time I throw away a fruit, I notice that due to different bacteria, each fruit decays uniquely, and some of them look pretty beautiful when rotten. This also coincides with the concept of age anxiety that has emerged overnight. Suddenly, everyone is anxious about whether they are still young enough and tries every possible means to preserve their youthful appearance. But each of us has a limited time in this world, and it would be extraordinary to insist on looking like we’re 20 when we’re 80.
Therefore, I chose to display them in an unglazed porcelain-like appearance, so even when fruits rot, they still possess different aesthetic qualities. Age anxiety? It’s unnecessary.
As human beings, we experience a wide range of emotions. In this series of sculptures, I aimed to continue the concentration of emotions in my artwork and create a large-scale installation that combines various materials. In my existing works, I used ceramics as the sole material to express different shapes and emotions, attempting to turn each sculpture into a vessel that represents me as a person capable of blending complex emotions.
As an extension of this series, I want to combine soft and hard materials in my sculptures. The addition of soft materials to hard materials while maintaining the general form of the artwork adds layers to its visual and tactile aspects. I have previously experimented with combining fiber materials and ceramic sculptures to create a more exciting and rich overall vibe through the fusion of soft and ceramic materials.
A better interactive experience can be created with the audience by varying the volume and material. My handmade ceramic works are merely a personal, small-scale emotional experience. However, by transforming them into life-sized sculptures that combine multiple materials, the audience can interact with them while viewing, making the artwork a vessel that envelops their emotions. Each person can express and absorb their feelings through my artwork.

Ziyi, 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?

My works are the unique sensory organs I never grew.

I view my artistic creations as an extension of myself, capturing emotions and thoughts I cannot express verbally in the context of my growing up. I was always taught not to state things bluntly. All things needing expression must take several detours before reaching their final destination. Feelings have become exceptionally important. Eastern culture prefers more implicit expressions; beneath a simple form, there may be more unexposed elements, like glaciers hidden deep under the sea. In my abstract or figurative works, I embed ‘myself’ within.

Ever since a young age, I liked collecting various bags and storing them in a particular cabinet. Until reusable bags became more prevalent last year, I was forced to abandon this habit. I always believed that someday there would be a special occasion, so I would open it and use the bags inside.

To me, the form of my work is like those hidden bags. They are the people I meet, scenes I witness, and encounters I experience regularly in my life. All things are stored in my mental cabinet like the stored bags. I may take them out and savor them whenever I’m alone or scrutinize them after experiencing something special, much like I love arranging things and placing them in their dedicated spot. It’s as if these things and I create our own story the moment when I arrange them.

Life is about living from one moment to the next.

I hope my work can create an atmosphere for people to step out of the mundane and focus more on one’s self. My pieces contain the unforgettable stories from my cabinet and the past I’ve experienced. I’m hoping people could find a connection.

I always felt that artists shouldn’t be bound by the medium, especially as an artist who is still exploring. I could use whatever medium I deem to express my concept best. I also once naively thought that ceramics were just pots and jars, hardly a creative art form. But as I became more intimate with the materials, I realized it was not what I thought it was. Clay, derived from nature, seems moldable into any shape, but inadvertently, it silently becomes something that follows its rhythm. Without any confrontation, yet without losing its characteristics. It always unintentionally manifests its existence through its unique way of being.

Starting with ceramics was a complete coincidence. A professor in college casually mentioned that trying a 3D medium might suit me better when I was having trouble translating my ideas into my work. The medium of clay effortlessly consolidated all my thoughts into a very tangible existence. When working with clay, I can see my thoughts, thread by thread, all converging at my fingertips.

Later, I realized that I missed many things because I assumed they were in a certain way. I always self-righteously default to it, thinking this is how it should be, but it is not.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

As human beings, we are constantly searching for ways to express ourselves and communicate with others. Art is a powerful medium through which we can
convey our emotions and experiences, and it has been used throughout history
as a means of personal and cultural expression. However, many believe that all
art has already been created and that there is no room for originality or
innovation. While it is true that our predecessors have already explored many
artistic themes and concepts, every artist has a unique perspective to bring to
the table.
The value of contemporary art lies in its ability to serve the artist’s creative
practice rather than simply pleasing an audience. While traditional art forms
were often created to fulfill a particular function or communicate a specific
message, contemporary art is more about the artist’s expression and
exploration. My artistic style constantly evolves, reflecting my self-concept’s
fluidity and complexity. I draw inspiration from the world around me, whether it
be the beauty of nature or the bustling streets of my city. I am fascinated by
how light and shadow interact, and I often use these elements to create
contrast and drama in my work.
I have experimented with various mediums throughout my artistic career,
including painting, drawing, and photography. Each medium has unique
challenges and advantages, and working with ceramics allows me to bring my
imagination to life truly. With only clay and water as my artistic medium, I can
experiment with new forms and create prototypes that turn my wildest ideas
into reality. The firing process adds an element of unpredictability, as my work
may turn out differently than I expect. However, I embrace this imperfection
and randomness, as it reflects the vicissitudes of life.
One of the things that I love about art is its ability to evoke different
interpretations and emotions in other people. Rather than trying to control how
my work is perceived, I welcome diverse variations and seek to create pieces
that defy easy categorization. I am fascinated by the idea that art can be
deeply personal and universally relatable, connecting people from different
cultures and backgrounds through shared experiences and emotions.
Ultimately, I see myself as an observer of the world, constantly exploring the
unknown and observing the unnoticed. While I may be caught up in the
momentum of what is happening around me, I am also removed from the
events in progress, able to take a step back and observe from a unique
perspective. Through my art, I hope to share my observations and insights with
others, fostering a deeper understanding and appreciation of the world around
us.

Is there mission driving your creative journey?

I want more people to see my works And share my point of view with the world.

Contact Info:

• Website: ziyiz.net
• Instagram: ziliuuuu