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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

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