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
Never miss an interview
Create a free UntitledDb account and stay in the loop. Get notified when new interviews drop, get early access to new features as we continue building out the site, and enjoy the perks of being part of our growing community.
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.
Help Us Grow
We are committed to building UntitledDb as a long-term, open-contribution visual art database, and subscriptions are what keep that commitment viable.
For the price of one (1) coffee each month, a Pro or Enterprise subscription helps us keep the lights on and gives you access to useful perks like profile-claiming, edit control, advanced analytics, and more, while also giving you a direct say in how we evolve the platform and what gets built next.
Guestbook
What is UntitledDb?
UntitledDb is the collaborative visual art database.
Artists: keep one up-to-date profile that evolves with your practice, instead of managing scattered sites and links. Curators: reduce research drift, follow emerging work, map collaboration networks, and assemble proposal material in one place. Exhibition spaces: document each show as a searchable record that lifts your artists’ visibility and makes it easier for curators, writers, and collectors to find them.
Browse freely. Create your profile with a free account. Upgrade to Pro or Enterprise for profile verification & claiming, edit control, and analytics.
Related Entries
Help Us Grow
We are committed to building UntitledDb as a long-term, open-contribution visual art database, and subscriptions are what keep that commitment viable.
For the price of one (1) coffee each month, a Pro or Enterprise subscription helps us keep the lights on and gives you access to useful perks like profile-claiming, edit control, advanced analytics, and more, while also giving you a direct say in how we evolve the platform and what gets built next.
What is UntitledDb?
UntitledDb is the collaborative visual art database.
Artists: keep one up-to-date profile that evolves with your practice, instead of managing scattered sites and links. Curators: reduce research drift, follow emerging work, map collaboration networks, and assemble proposal material in one place. Exhibition spaces: document each show as a searchable record that lifts your artists’ visibility and makes it easier for curators, writers, and collectors to find them.
Browse freely. Create your profile with a free account. Upgrade to Pro or Enterprise for profile verification & claiming, edit control, and analytics.
