Daily Inspiration: Meet Jingyi Zhang

Today we’d like to introduce you to Jingyi Zhang.

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
The journey hasn’t always been easy. I used to struggle a lot with self-doubt, constantly worrying that people wouldn’t understand my work, especially because so much of it is rooted in personal reflection and healing. My practice has always been closely tied to self-realization, which made it feel vulnerable and exposed.

But over time, I came to understand that making art isn’t about seeking approval—it’s about being honest with myself. The creative process became a space where I could slow down, listen inward, and make sense of my emotions. It transformed into something meditative, a quiet dialogue between my inner world and the materials I work with. Through that, I’ve found a deeper connection with myself, and that, to me, is the true power of art.

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
Hi! I’m an artist based in New York and Beijing, and I just graduated with my M.A. degree in Film and Media Studies from Columbia University, where I focus on emergent media. I work with moving images, photography, and interactive design to explore how natural objects can carry metaphors, and how our intuition and subconscious show up in the material world. My work has been shown at places like Yachang Art Center and Yan Art Museum, and I’ve also had the chance to perform at the National Centre for the Performing Arts and Zhongshan Concert Hall back in China.

I am interested in conveying the subtle emotions and feelings that are often ignored by the material world. Through my art, I aim to reveal the hidden layers of meaning in everyday experiences, creating a space where the intangible becomes tangible. I think one point that makes my work unique may be its ability to bridge the natural and the digital, blending traditional media with contemporary technologies to create immersive experiences that challenge perceptions of reality. By using abstract visuals and interactive elements, I invite viewers to engage with the deeper, often unspoken aspects of existence—those fleeting moments that we might otherwise overlook.

Can you talk to us about how you think about risk?
I think choosing to become an artist, in itself, is already an agreement to take risks. Being an artist often means stepping into a life full of uncertainties—not just creatively, but socially and financially. We live in a world where artistic labor is often undervalued, and many artists face unstable income and limited institutional support. Yet despite these challenges, we continue to create—not because it’s easy, but because it’s necessary.

To me, taking the risk is part of embracing the beauty of the unknown. There’s something powerful about following a path that doesn’t guarantee security but allows you to stay true to your vision. It’s a balancing act: weighing the instability and doubts against the joy of creation, the sense of purpose, and the potential to connect deeply with others through your work. In that sense, every decision I make as an artist—what to create, how to share it, what boundaries to push—is a quiet act of “risk-taking”.

So yes, the risk is real. But so is the reward: the ability to live authentically, to question the world around me, and to make something that didn’t exist before.

Contact Info:

• Website: http://jingyizhang145.com
• Instagram: jingyi_rainmz

Image Credits
All Image credit to Jingyi Zhang