RZ
RENEE ZHANG
AN INTERVIEW WITH renee
ART IS A JOURNEY REACHING THE DEPTH OF OUR SOULS
Renee was born into a family of painters, deeply influenced by her artist father who also designs city parks. Her passion for painting ignited at a young age, and her miniature artworks gained recognition in juvenile art exhibitions across Asia, Africa, and South America.
Opting for sculpture as her undergraduate major intensified her love for the art form. Engaging in large-scale projects and immersing herself in ancient Eastern sculptures, she discovered the unique expression of life, religion, and the world through abstract shapes in Oriental sculpture. This realization propelled her into becoming a professional sculptor, with her works now adorning significant locations in numerous cities within a decade post-graduation. Sculpture isn't merely a livelihood for her—it's her dream and the essence of life.
SCULPTURES ARE THE LANGUAGE OF A CITY
Later, she not only delved into sculpture but also dabbled in various other art forms, including oil painting and ancient architectural decoration, which became integral to her artistic journey. She recalled that in college, she was initially puzzled by a Buddha statue in the Mogao Grottoes, struck by its detailed and puzzling features. Over time, she came to understand that art is not about perfection but about expressing unique ideas and perspectives. For her, art is a journey into the depths of the soul, where true freedom and self-discovery await.
After earning a master's degree in architecture, she turned to urban sculpture planning, realizing the importance of artistic elements in urban landscapes. Looking back on the sculpture project in her hometown in 2004, she thought about how sculpture can effectively express and convey the essence of a city. This led her to see sculpture as the language of the city, telling its history, culture, and personality. Encouraging sculptors to incorporate the spirit of their surroundings into their works has proven successful, turning sculptures into dynamic storytellers within the urban fabric.
Now living in North America, she finds herself fascinated by color, drawing inspiration from the kaleidoscope of colors found in nature. Each color has its own unique charm and can soothe and heal the human soul when it resonates harmoniously. She feels lucky to live in such a colorful world and strives to capture its beauty with her brushes while recording every moment of inspiration. She also hopes to create more artistic works that integrate Eastern and Western cultures.