Karma Zheng - Modern Artist
After a period of gap, I came to study at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago. Here, I don't have a specific major; I chose courses in Viscom, photo, fiber, painting, film studies, ceramic, fashion, and art therapy, which gave me more options and experimentation.
Due to some personal reasons, the themes of my works are usually related to love and emotion. But I often think these are negative, and I will use art therapy to materialize my negative feelings.
My art journey was initially born out of a personal experience. After a three-year emotional hiatus, I turned to art as a form of self-healing. During this period, art provided me with an outlet for my emotions and allowed me to reevaluate myself. Later, traveling became a path for further exploring my artistic expression. During encounters with different cultures and environments, I gradually realized that art is more than self-expression; it’s a bridge for dialogue with society. This realization prompted me to explore how artworks can raise awareness and provoke thought on social issues, particularly those concerning the environment, gender identity, and emotional expression. Works often present a strong abstraction, especially in the use of materials. I like to combine soft fibers with hard materials such as PVC, acrylic, and clay.
Through this cross-material experimentation, I seek to express the multidimensionality of emotions, sometimes rigid and harsh, at other times soft and delicate. Academically, my studies at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago have greatly enriched my artistic vision and creative methods. My major in Fine Arts includes studies in areas like visual communication, photography, painting, fiber art, etc. The interdisciplinary approach allows me to flexibly use different materials and techniques in the creative process, breaking the boundaries of traditional art creation. In addition, the labs, workshops, and tutorials have exposed me to the latest art trends and creative methods. My art can establish profound emotional resonance with viewers and inspire them to reflect deeply on the world, themselves, and their relationships with others.
Education
2020-2024
BFA in Studio Art, School of Art Institute of Chicago, Chicago, IL
Professional Experience
2016
Visual Arts Department Intern, YF Life International Insurance Company Limited, Hong Kong
2017-2019
Senior Designer Inter, TIANYI ZHANG STUDIO, Jinan, China
2024
Design Specialist, Crewl (HongKong) Technology Co., Limited, Hong Kong
2024-2025
Designer, SukoCare NutriTech Co., Limited, Changsha, China
2025
Marketing Intern, Yum! Restaurants Consulting (Shanghai) Co., Ltd, Shanghai, China
Exhibitions
Group
2024
Olfactory Art Show, SAIC Maclean, Chicago, IL
2024
Spring Undergraduate Exhibition, SAIC Galleries, Chicago,IL
2025
Imprints of Time, Bridgeport Art Center, Chicago, IL
2025
Hand-Crafted Pinhole Camera, Oumuamua Gallery, Beijing, China