Zhang Wei, born in Shangluo, Shaanxi, China in 1977, currently lives and works in Beijing. He has been awarded the Outstanding Photographer in 2019 Golden Panda Photography Awards, 2016 Prudential Eye Awards Contemporary Asian Art nomination, won the prize of Xitek 2013 New Photo Award of China and in the same year was selected in the Photography Annual Rankings. In 2011, he won the prize of the Top 20 of Chinese Cutting-edge Contemporary Photography Awards. In 2010, won the prize of Global Times 2010 Artists Award Of The Year. In 2009, he was nominated for the Sovereign Asian Art Prize and in the same year won the prize of Lishui Photography Festival Award.
His works were collected by MOCP Museum of Contemporary Photography, The Joseph M. Cohen Family Collection, Guangdong Museum of Art, GuCang Center of Contemporary Photography, Shanghai Center of Photography, Lishui Photography Museum, How Museum, Long Museums etc. Also, his works were reported by Le Temps, Spiegel.de, The New York Times, WIRED, and “francetvinfo” and some other main medias all over the world.
Thank you for joining us, Zhang Wei. Can you tell us a little about yourself?
I’m Zhang Wei, a photography artist born in Shaanxi, China, in 1977. I currently live and work in Beijing and New York. In recent years, I have focused on combining classic imagery with modern consumer culture in my photographic works. Through collage and reconstruction, I explore the living conditions and spiritual dilemmas of people in a consumer society using modern materials. My works feature portraits of hundreds of ordinary people, digitally transformed into a series of celebrity and news event adaptations, aiming to reveal the alienation, falsification, and self-paralysis in modern society.
You’ve been very active during the past few years. What do you find the most daunting, challenging, or frustrating about pursuing art?
As an artist, the biggest challenge is maintaining the uniqueness and depth of my creations while coping with the pressures of commercialization and social expectations. Balancing self-expression with audience expectations and preserving the authenticity and critical nature of my work in an increasingly commercialized art market are the main difficulties I face.
Is there any subject or theme you’ve been particularly interested in lately?
Recently, I’ve been completing a new series exploring icons in the plastic age. I incorporate modern materials into my works as a metaphor for the “production-consumption-production” model of modern society, especially the cycle of identity production and consumption.
How do you define “success”?
I believe success is not just about commercial achievement or widespread recognition but about inspiring thought and resonance in the audience through artistic creation, prompting them to critically reflect on the values and cultural phenomena of modern society. If my work can reveal societal issues and encourage deep thinking, that is a form of success.
What does “community” mean to you? Has your local community inspired you as a creative? How do you see yourself in a community?
I appreciate primitive and quiet communities, which is why I moved to the mountains. This setting allows me to escape the hustle and bustle and focus more on my creative process.
Do you have any advice that you would offer to others?
I believe artists should stay true to their self-expression and not be swayed by market or social expectations. Be brave in exploring and challenging yourself, and find your unique voice. Don’t be afraid of failure and criticism, as they are essential for growth and improvement. Most importantly, maintain your passion and love for art and creation, as this will guide you to success.
text & photo courtesy of Zhang Wei
- Website: www.zhangweiphoto.com
- Instagram: @zhangwei00128
