ARTIST PROFILE

Zhao Mengjia

趙夢佳
[ CHINA ]

MESSAGE

In the series "Whispers of Dreams at the Edge of Dawn and Dusk", I reject predefined photographic themes, instead treating photography as a “mirror of consciousness.” By capturing fleeting moments composed of landscapes and objects, I seek to reveal the mysterious diffraction between the individual and the world, exploring the subtle connections embedded in the subconscious and the profound resonances hidden beneath everyday fragments.

Each photograph stands as evidence of my artistic act, while the reorganization of images becomes a process of approaching my inner self. I position the “twilight moment” as an observational coordinate—a liminal space marking both the curtain call of daylight and the overture of darkness—metaphorically embodying the eternal flux of life. The deliberate use (or absence) of light transforms it into a narrative medium. These ambiguous scenes, suspended between day and night, aim to evoke alternative perceptions of time and existence. The surreal quality of these transitional moments reflects life’s fluidity, regression, and uncertainty. Each image intertwines reality with illusion, the mundane with impermanence, and temporal flow with self-awareness, provoking contemplation of latent desires within the subconscious.

I regard the photographic act as a ritual of healing, embracing life’s mundanity and transience through inner tranquility. Furthermore, the incorporation of natural materials such as branches and feathers adds unique symbolism to the work. These elements act as catalysts for the soul, intertwining with photographic imagery to create a contemplative space where reality and fantasy coexist. The handmade process fosters an intimate dialogue with materials, imbuing the textures of the images with human warmth.

PROFILE

Zhao Mengjia [CHINA]

Zhao Mengjia (b.2000), born in Hangzhou, China, holds a BFA and MFA from the China Academy of Art. Her multidisciplinary practice spans photography, experimental video, and installation art, blurring the boundaries between photography and painting. Through themes of "reality vs. surrealism," "the fluidity and eternity of time," and "the fragility and resilience of life," she employs dreams as a visual rhetoric to create poetic works that resonate with the essence of her name. Awards include the 6th 1839 Photography Award (Excellence Prize), selection for the inaugural "Young Image Art 100" and the 3rd "China Young Photographers Support Program." Exhibitions: George Paton Gallery (Melbourne, Australia), Jimei × Arles International Photo Festival (Xiamen, China), PHOTOFAIRS Shanghai (Shanghai, China), Lishui Photography Festival (Lishui, China), Beijing International Photo Week (Beijing, China), Chengdu Contemporary Image Museum (Chengdu, China), Three Shadows Photography Art Centre (Xiamen, China), Zhejiang Art Museum (Hangzhou, China), among others.

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