Stella grew up in communist China in an artist family. She loved art from an early age and used to spend lots of time redrawing her father’s art books. She studied art at prestigious universities in China and Japan, then left for the US.
While earning her final bachelor’s degree in arts, she was part of the demonstrations in Tiananmen Square. Shortly after these events Stella fled to Japan where she continued to study art. It was here where she soaked in minimalism and aggressive gestures of post-war Japanese sculptors. After college, as a single mom, she moved to Palo Alto and began at Stanford University, as an artist in residence. Later, she moved to San Francisco.
Today, Stella is a seasoned, accomplished artist at the top of her career. She has exhibited all around the world including San Francisco, Berkeley, Palo Alto, Santa Monica, Los Angeles, Laguna Beach, New York, Miami, Hong Kong, Shenzhen, Taipei, Tokyo, and Beijing. She participates in art events such as Untitled Art Show or Art Basel, Art Miami. Also, Stella works with the Chinese Culture Center in San Francisco, supporting her Chinese roots. Her artworks are in museums across the USA, Japan and China as well as in many private collections. She has received many artist's awards and recognitions.
Stella's artwork is very bold, feminine, and aggressive. Someone might even call it almost obscene or pornographic. She is experimental and playful, but very intentional. Stella's artwork is provocative. You either love it, or hate it, but it doesn't let you relax. Body, physical materials, and femininity are integral topics to Stella's artwork. She uses ordinary materials in a non-traditional way. She creates her artwork using fabric, threads, leather and paper, but also electrical tape and tooth sticks. In Stella's hands material takes on skin-like tension and folds reminiscent of feminine body parts. Stella is very philosophical in her intentions and perception of the world as an artist. Most of her artwork is a social commentary and open to interpretations of the viewer. Shock is planned, reactions expected, and emotions are guaranteed.
When I look at Stella's art, I don't know if I should smile, laugh, compliment it, avoid looking at it, or give it an intense gaze. Sometimes I look at her art and I have to remind myself to stop biting my lips!
If you like minimal or conceptual art with deep meaning, book Art Visit with Stella Zhang.
