Ziyi Zhang is a Chinese interdisciplinary artist based in Chicago whose practice moves fluidly between painting, digital media, and installation. Her work foregrounds narrative and emotional resonance, often exploring themes of memory, cultural displacement, and personal transformation. Influenced by artists such as Sophie Calle and Xu Bing, Zhang uses text, technology, and sculptural structure to reflect on identity and the construction of truth. She approaches each project conceptually, allowing the subject to dictate the form, whether through resin-based relief paintings or interactive web environments.
In the morning—if I manage to get up early, big if lol. After dinner I’m useless. play/ rest is ok~
Ziyi's layers in Photoshop (excerpt)
I open up my Photoshop files, start zooming in and out… in and out… clicking through layers, toggling visibility on and off like a maniac. Then I suddenly catch myself like—what am I even doing? Stop. Just stop.
I’m constantly inspired by the people around me—friends I chat to every day. They somehow always spark something.
I feel like in a way, we’re already collaborating with artists from the past and present. What I’m making now wouldn’t even be possible without the ones who came before me. And I’m definitely influenced—often without realizing it—by what artists are making nowadays.
It changes all the time, but right now I’m listening to 还山 by 无边界音乐 on Spotify. I’m really into the lyrics—lyrics matter a lot to me~
As someone still emerging, I’m constantly learning new things about the art world—there’s honestly still so much I don’t know or probably misunderstand myself.
My computer—and all the tech that goes with it—is kinda essential for my work. But since the question says “can’t live without”… honestly, I feel like I could live just fine without any of it~.
Ziyi's dock (excerpt)
We each have our own rhythm and our own path. Don’t get caught up in temporary wins or losses. And don’t feel like you have to do stuff that just doesn’t work for you.
 the art world socialite](https://storageuntitleddb.blob.core.windows.net/udb-interview-qa/a0637a73-21e8-48aa-bcb6-1e7f0c4d12fb1200.avif)
Abu the art world socialite
Greenies for Abu
Doomscrolling/ binge watching videos lol
Beijing
Good ones yes ^u^
Learning how to find and keep happiness in the simple everyday stuff.
I can’t really rely on anyone but myself. At the end of the day, only I can save me.
Moving to a whole new country by myself when I was 14. Didn't think much of it at the time though.
 mid-stride](https://storageuntitleddb.blob.core.windows.net/udb-interview-qa/8258df22-0919-4137-8740-068ff9ce28831200.avif)
Abu mid-stride
Play with Abu ^u^
I’m always learning new apps and skills because honestly, I’m a one-person team doing everything—directing, filming, acting, writing, production, sound—you name it. lol
Maybe I’d start an accessory brand/ sell crafts and jewelry or something like that. I could also babysit animals and walk dogs.
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