JIAWEI ZHAO
Jiawei Zhao is a Chinese born photo artist living and working in Brooklyn, New York
We love this artist’s work because of the way he questions the truth of reality, and how he uses the medium to explore issues of identity. Jiawei has done a residency at MASS MoCA in 2019, and is currently exhibiting at Eli Klein Gallery one of the best galleries to specialize in Chinese Contemporary art. He’s been invited as a member of Photography of China, an established online hub connecting Chinese photography circles around the world.
Please tell us more
Regarding my artist career, I am satisfied this year because my current project Wallpapers #2 has been successful and people are really liking it. Most importantly, I love what I have accomplished now.
How has the pandemic affected the art world and you personally as an artist?
The pandemic has given me the time and space to think about my work and rethink the issues I would like to resolve. I am thinking about the self-isolation we all have been going through and the limited space and images world we have faced. I am not only a photographer, and I am pushing the medium to make experimental works.
How would you describe your creative process?
My photo-based practice stems from personal experience, which I have moved or transferred among many different types of places since my childhood. Those sudden changes of places prompted me to create a desired dreamy living space in photographs. I am investigating how a foreign Chinese person creates a balanced space of both identity and a sense of belonging in photographs when they live in The U.S. with an American dominated image culture.
Spectators will follow the path of a foreign Chinese who initially came to The States for higher education, got lost somewhere between in the American photo world and their self-isolated living space, and then created a cross-cultural space and "re-invent" the Photography technique for their identity. My work is process-based and my process includes installation practice, "Chinese" materials such as traditional watercolor black ink and traditional rice paper, photo developer chemicals, darkroom photo paper, the U.S. letter-size golden paper, darkroom filter, etc.
Some of my exhibitions were moved to the online version, and many of my planned residencies were canceled or postponed. I think many art events were canceled or moved to online. We can not see the art in person, and it is not the best way to experience and learn the artwork itself. Zoom is a good way to connect all the people around the world, but I think we still need to attend art events, see the work, and communicate with each other in person.
How do you see the art world moving forward?
The art world has been keeping strong. Yes, the pandemic and bad economy have weakened the previous boom of the art market. However, I see the art world is still desiring good artwork, and artworks made during the pandemic. The art world has tried its best to help artists and held possible exhibitions in response to this special timing.
Anything else you would like to share?
I usually stay in galleries or museums for a whole day when I feel lost somewhere or if I’ve had a problem. The art always offers me a hint or tip, so I grow up with both my artwork and the art.
