Contemporary artist Jiawei Zhao gave up the security of a stable career as an Accountant, to pursue art. He talks about the inspirations and motivations behind his decision in an interview with Anjali Singh, for the Asian Curator.
The sudden changes in my surroundings and geography prompted me to create a perfect space within. Keeping in mind both comfort and the feeling of security, I arrived at a photographic space.
Image credit: Gabriel Geng.
Please tell us a little about yourself, what brought you to the world of art and how did you start?
I’m originally from Beijing, China. I came to the US for education in 2008, and I went to Dallas, TX for my undergraduate in Accounting. Actually I was not interested in accounting. Though it is a major subject which promises a stable life, career and income, to me it is just an ordinary job.
I am still young and felt an eagerness to explore and discover my other side and potential. So, I came to NYC and studied photography and fine arts. I received an MFA degree from Pratt Institute in 2018. It has been almost two years since, and I am trying to be a freelance artist.
How do you describe yourself in the context of challenging people’s perspectives via your work and art?
I am defined by my own personal experiences. I have moved around a lot, living in very different places, across the world. I was born in a small town, which is a two-hour drive from Beijing. Then, when I was 12 years old, I moved to Beijing with my parents. Since 2008, I have been living in Wisconsin, Texas, and then NYC, in that order.
The sudden changes in my surroundings and geography prompted me to create a perfect space within. Keeping in mind both comfort and the feeling of security, I arrived at a photographic space.
A photographic space is a virtual space, but it is based on reality. Because my kind of photography is based on and reflects the reality people don’t normally see with their own eyes. It is very important for people to have their own ‘space’. I think many people have a similar experience as mine, due to globalisation and an increasingly interconnected world. I would love for my work to help audiences find their own position, for people to learn from it.
How do you deal with the conceptual difficulty and uncertainty of creating new work?
This is a good question. I always have difficulties, honestly. Sometimes, I’m not even certain these blocks relate to my concepts. I begin to work and see where it goes. It is visual art, so working on making it happen is equally important. I uncover and discover my answers during the process of creating work, and then I adjust my materials or process accordingly.
Sometimes, I just do some reading or just enjoy life, take a break and then come back to studio. When I think I am stuck, it may be not a good time to make work.
All of my artwork is two-dimensional photographs, which are taken of photographic installations. So, I make photographic installations in the studio. Then, I photograph these photographic installations using a camera. This is a re-photography process. Most importantly, I call my work, ‘photo-based work’, not just photography.
Let’s talk about the evolution of your practice over the years. Tell us about your commitment to your current medium. What would you call your style?
I love photography and fine art photography. Before my current medium and process, I was making photos directly from reality using a camera. My work used to be non-studio photo work.
Now, I am working in a studio. All of my artwork is two-dimensional photographs, which are taken of photographic installations. So, I make photographic installations in the studio. Then, I photograph these photographic installations using a camera. This is a re-photography process. Most importantly, I call my work, ‘photo-based work’, not just photography.
Re-photography process, by contemporary artist Jiawei Zhao.
Let’s talk about your frameworks, references and process. What inspires you?
Well, my first inspiration is the Chinatowns located in the States. I would like to be a ‘flaneur’ in Chinatown and seek my ‘space’. I feel that Chinatowns are familiar to me, but they are very different from the Chinese culture that I have experienced back home in China. Actually, these un-obvious, and delicate differences have influenced me so much, that I was prompted to create a photographic space for young Chinese people like me, who come to the States for education.
For the process and references of ‘Wallpapers’, I am definitely inspired by the common practice produced by Chinese people, who pasted newspaper on the wall of their houses as wallpapers in 1970s. Regarding “once upon a time at Chinatown movie theatres”, I referred to the history of Chinatown movie theatres, which were all closed down in NYC decades ago.
Photo-based works by contemporary artist Jiawei Zhao.
Let’s talk about your artistic journey. What are your biggest learning and hiccups?
I appear to be a very stable and calm person. But actually, I am a very impulsive and passionate person. In other words, my personalities are applied in my artist journey. I would begin something, even though I was not yet ready. Now, I have learnt to think carefully, and not be impulsively lead just by my emotions. It is a long learning curve. I truly learnt it after I finished my MFA program and graduated.
How does your audience interact and react to the work you put out into the world?
Most people find my work mysterious, because it is the first time they have seen this particular style or type of work. Because my work is seriously conceptual, I have to give a detailed elaboration of my work to my audiences.
Setting up of installation. Contemporary artist Jiawei Zhao. Image credit: Xiaohan Li.
What are you looking for when you look at other artists’ work? Which shows, performances and experiences have shaped your own creative process? Who are your maestros? Whose journey would you want to read about?
I am more interested in concepts and ideas, before of techniques. Of course, techniques are also very important. Honestly, I am interested in the work of a diverse group of artists, instead of a specific one. Douglas Crimp who introduced the Pictures Generation, is my idol. You know what, I really want to read Paul Graham this year. His work has jumped into the soul of photography, and I admire him so much.
How many works do you make in a year? How many would you like to be making?
It is hard to say. When I was in graduate school, I had to make a certain quantity of work because I had to present my work to the class and professors on time. Now, I am responsible for making (a number of) works on my own terms. I would like to make around twenty works a year.
Installation view. Lower South. Contemporary artist Jiawei Zhao.
Think of the biggest professional risk you’ve taken. What helped you take that risk?
I went to MFA program of Pratt Institute, an interdisciplinary program, which shaped me as a fine artist in addition to a photographer. Since I love to take risks, and I already took the risk of studying arts, instead of, you know, becoming an accountant. Why not take another risk and be myself, so I did it!
One of my professors advised me to organise and curate a group show. This opportunity shaped and matured my mind, giving me a deep understanding regarding the significance of networking in the art world. Indeed, it opened my mind to rethink my work and process after reviewing participating artists’ work and solidifying a curatorial concept.
What is the best piece of advice you’ve received? Why was it helpful?
When I was in graduate school, one of my professors advised me to organise and curate a group show. At first, I was not that interested because I am an artist and I just wanted to do artwork. Actually later, I found out that I had learnt how to organise concepts and people altogether. This opportunity shaped and matured my mind, giving me a deep understanding regarding the significance of networking in the art world. Indeed, it opened my mind to rethink my work and process after reviewing participating artists’ work and solidifying a curatorial concept.
Contemporary artist Jiawei Zhao.
Tell us about your studio, what kind of place is it? Could you describe your usual work day in the studio?
My studio is a semi-private studio located at Brooklyn Army Terminal, and it is managed by ChaShaMa, a non-profit organisation. It is a 315 square foot white cube space. I am not a morning person, so I get in around noon, and worked there until night. Sometimes, I do reading or writing in my studio. I enjoy the surrounding studio environment to think, conceptualise and brainstorm in addition to making new work.
Are you more of a studio artist or naturally collaborative by nature? How do you feel about commissions?
I am a studio artist. Like I said, I am also a photographer. I used to do many projects involving portraits, so I interacted with people and figures a lot. I am okay with commissions, but it is not my interest. I am also a photography printer. In other words, I make professional photography prints for artists.
Installation view. Contemporary artist Jiawei Zhao.
What are you working on now? What’s coming next season?
The world is a little bit crazy right now. Most people have to stay at home in order to protect ourselves from corona virus. I am trying to make some new work while I stay in my apartment. Actually, it is just my room since I share an apartment with suite-mates. Anyway, you will soon see my new work, made under these circumstances.
I had an upcoming group exhibition in the Masur Museum of Art, Louisiana. However, the museum is temporarily closed. I was also supposed to be a part of The Others Art Fair in May, but it was also cancelled. I hope to do a residency after the peace has been restored to everything.
Is there any topic lately that you would like to be mentored on?
As an international artist in New York City or in the States, I would love some guidance on how to develop my career and cope with difficulties.
For enquiries contact: jiawei@jiaweizhao.com
Before you go – you might like to browse our Artist Interviews. Interviews of artists and outliers on how to be an artist. Contemporary artists on the source of their creative inspiration.