Rising Stars: Meet Yang Zhou

Today we’d like to introduce you to Yang Zhou.

Hi Yang, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
I was born in a dry and cold city in the north of China, due to the influence of my family members, such as my grandpa and my mom, I would be exposed to Chinese ink painting and Chinese calligraphy from a young age under the guidance of my grandpa, and at the same time I would draw sketches under the influence of my mom, who majored in oil painting, and at a young age, I would design dresses for the mermaids that I drew on paper, which is undoubtedly the influence of the fashion magazines that my mom had.

Due to the influence of my elders and my own interests, as well as for the college entrance exams, I began to systematically study painting, from plaster to figure, from still life to landscape, the whole study time more than ten years; during these ten years my attitude towards painting experienced from love to weakness, from weakness to indifference and then to extinction. After I enrolled in a university in Hainan Province, China, I chose to major in Chinese Painting by the decision of my parents and graduated from the program four years later. However, I rekindled my confidence and interest in art by creating a portfolio for my application to study in the United States. After I was accepted by Savannah College of Art and Design for illustration graduate school, I began my graduate studies in Savannah.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Every sunrise doesn’t guarantee smooth sailing, and virtually none escape life’s hurdles. I, too, am no exception, having faced dilemmas, hardships, and even the weight of anxiety and depression. It commenced with my parents’ obliviousness to my depression, followed by their decision to cut off my access to the internet and smartphones for nine years. This long-term isolation led to an enduring bout of emotional numbness as well as the overwhelming schoolwork load, resulting in prolonged sleep deprivation (I survived on a mere two hours of sleep daily for an entire school year or perhaps a semester), both deepened my depression. Due to my parents’ staunch belief that the internet was poison, the isolation mentioned above created a sense of imprisonment and emotional abuse on me, forcing me to distance myself from society and the world.

After my successful college admission, even before my journey began, I tore up many of the polished, skillful paintings I had meticulously created for my entrance exams, symbolizing a fresh start, even if those works had absorbed a significant portion of my time and focus. But eliminating those pieces meant no progress, as they strangled my creativity, trapping my mind.

My once fervent passion for painting had vanished, a casualty of the depressive cloud that descended during my middle school years and China’s exam-dominated art education.

My undergraduate years brought relief from depression; thanks to the splendid landscapes, balmy climate, clean air, abundant sunshine, and restful sleep of Hainan Province, China, it’s a much-needed period of rejuvenation for me. Yet, my love for art remained elusive. While preparing my portfolio for the Illustration graduate program, my long-lost love for art and the feeling of truly being alive resurfaced. The act of creating art without the burden of examination revitalized me.

Through all these, I’ve left behind the haunting memories that once shadowed me like ghosts (though they occasionally resurface), and I’ve now landed in Savannah, at the Savannah College of Art and Design, where a fresh chapter of life unfolds before me. Nevertheless, not every day is a sunny sailing day; new obstacles and challenges inevitably arise on my new journeys. This time, thankfully, the ominous cloud of depression doesn’t accompany me, and I’m prepared to confront it if it ever rears its ugly head again in my life.

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I am an illustration artist who draws constant inspiration from fashion, costumes, divination, meditation, and nature. Currently, my art revolves around these themes. Illustration satisfies my passion for drawing, while fashion and costume design fulfill my desire to create aesthetically pleasing garments that align with my personal taste and love for fashion. My fashion illustrations often feature a lavish, exquisite, and luxurious style, as these elements are essential for capturing attention. Coupled with detailed depictions of fabric folds and model renderings, my fashion illustrations are enriched with visual intricacies.

The abundance of visual details in my work is a reflection of my past affinity for maximalism, though an artist’s preferences evolve over time. I am currently transitioning to a more balanced artistic style, gradually reducing the emphasis on maximalism while exploring new aesthetics.

Divination and meditation, rooted in ancient traditions of religion and magic, provide me with a wealth of artistic inspiration. The mystical traditions of tarot cards, in particular, have ignited my desire to design my own artistically inspired tarot deck. When I lay out the tarot cards I’ve designed using unique divination layouts, a profound sense of ritual and the achievement of foreseeing the future through my own creations emerge within me. I’ve always hoped to employ the symbolism of tarot cards to assist my bewildered friends, a concept that feels both intriguing and mysterious. However, my tarot card project remains a work in progress, destined to be printed one day as a complete set of 78 cards.

What sets me apart from other artists is my diverse rendering style across various artistic themes. I employ a relatively realistic approach in my fashion illustrations and fashion design while leaning towards a linear style for editorial illustrations and embracing graphic elements in my tarot card designs.

What matters most to you? Why?
As an individual, kindness stands as the paramount virtue in my view, and being surrounded by those who share a mutual drive for progress is of utmost significance. As an artist, directing attention not only to the realm of visual creation but also to the broader art industry holds paramount importance. I believe artists should enrich themselves from diverse domains, elevating their aesthetic sensibilities through exposure to outstanding works spanning fashion, architecture, music, literature, dance, cinema, anthropology, botany, and more. The ultimate pursuit remains the quest for beauty, which serves as a perpetual catalyst for artists to continuously strive in creating exceptional pieces.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://yangzhouart.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sunmoonstarwitch/?hl=zh-cn

Image Credits
Schiaparelli, Alexander McQueen