By Jonathan Burger, Craven Arts Council & Gallery, Inc.
Ni (/ni:/) Zhang graduated from one of the top European art & design institutions, Central Saint Martins College of Arts and Design (a member of University of the Arts London) and currently works and lives in New Bern NC.
Heavily influenced by her favorite artistic styles from her former training, Chinese GongBi drawing, Impressionism and Expressionism, Ni creates portrait pieces that are accentuated by a delicate flow of lines, capturing the undeniable uniqueness of her subjects by bringing forth their character and personality. Her work is a test of skill, creativity and patience as the detailed visual components require a tremendous amount of time to complete.
Ni also embraces the art of figure drawing, to catch moments in passing that resonate with her. It’s especially enjoyable while traveling. Having lived, worked and traveled all around the world, Ni is fluent in various forms of expression, though having received rigorous classical training herself, Ni is open-minded and supportive of pupils who look to explore different styles and mediums.
Ni believes that the same observational skill and muscle-brain connection necessary for artistic expression is applicable to life on a grander scheme. The method Ni uses to teach the fundamentals of art has handed many pupils the tools to connect their vision and outcome, and developed their ability to actualize their ideas.
What’s your background and how did you end up in eastern North Carolina?
We are currently stationed in MCAS Cherry Point, after having lived in Okinawa Japan for the past three years. This is the first city we lived as a family (my daughter was born in Okinawa), so I guess this is where we will call home.
Do you have formal arts training, or are you self-taught, or a combination?
I have had formal training in classical fundamentals, sketching of portraits and still-life, colors with acrylic and oils, etc. My art tutor back from home is also very well know for his traditional Chinese Gongbi art, so I was lucky to have absorbed some of that aesthetics and skills from him and his entire artistic family.
Is there a central theme to your work, or several themes?
I’ve always been drawn to portraits and figure drawings, the eyes that speak to me, and the lines that flow freely yet masterfully are the absolute souls of the artworks. I dabble in landscape as well, but there is much still to explore and learn.
I know that you work in digital media, what other mediums do you like to work in, and how do they relate to you work?
Before my vision took a nose dive during my pregnancy, I always preferred ink/charcoal on paper for my portraits and oil for my landscapes. But with two cats, one toddler and who knows how many cross-country moves starring at me down the line, digital is the safest and most productive medium for my practice.
You have a podcast, do you see a relationship between that and the visual artworks you create?
The link amongst everything I do, at this point in life, is about honesty. Through my art, I expect myself to be honest about the subject that I have chosen to elaborate, and to face and accept any potential failures and opportunities to learn and improve. Self-reflection is also a principle I practice routinely. And I hope when my child(ren) are old enough to examine my work independently, they will be able to connect the dots and see me as a person, and understand my perspective.
Is there an artist in your field or any other whose work you admire or inspires you?
There were two major influences entrenched through my teens and early twenties, Japanese manga(comic) and Impressionism masters. With the increased exposure through social media, nowadays I have genuinely lost track of who inspires me, because so many people has talent, incredible work ethics and creativity, for me it’s near impossible to just name a few.
What specific award, piece, or exhibition are you particularly proud of and why?
I like most of what I have created, especially the ones of my families. However, I am also very self-critical and to be honest I have not created anything I am profoundly proud of. I look forward to creating it one day.
In one sentence, what is art to you?
I am unable to answer that precisely, as the meaning I seek in art has shifted many times as I enter different stages in life. Right now it is about self-fullfillment.
Do you have any advice for artists starting out or people who want to get into art?
The principle of my teaching to my pupils is that they be honest about what they are seeking, and understand that first generation artist, meaning people like me who didn’t grow up in a sphere of artistic practice and social connections, it is going to be really tough. Don’t put all your eggs in the basket of going viral.
I know you’ll be in the Director’s Gallery at Bank of the Arts for November, but where else can people find you work?
It is a tremendous honor to exhibit my work at the Director’s Gallery here. My website LightsAndLines.art is always the best place to find all of my recent work, and please follow my social media handle @LightsAndLinesStudio on instagram and /NisLines on facebook, to stay in touch. I look forward to being able to showcase my work in more local establishments and explore different opportunities.
317 Middle Street | New Bern, NC | www.cravenarts.org | 252.638.2577