Tao Te Ching - Loading in Nature
Chinese Lacquer and ink on rice paper, 39.5 x 39.5 cm, 2024
 
Artwork Statement
Zhen’s artistic practice is a contemplative dialogue between tradition and perception, rooted in the philosophy of Yi Yun—a Chinese aesthetic concept often translated as “poetic charm.” To Zhen, Yi represents the fusion of classical teachings and nature, while Yun reflects the harmony of artistic spontaneity and inner feeling. His work, whether through painting, calligraphy, or lyrical expression, is a meeting of the natural world and the human heart.
In his view, all aesthetic languages are shaped by what cultures choose to pursue: some seek perfection, some reject it, and others celebrate imperfection. But what if the pursuit itself is about letting go—about stopping just as the chase begins? From this pause, a different kind of beauty emerges: one that exists in overlooked details, emotional resonance, and gentle attentiveness. Zhen’s artworks are born from this space of stillness.
Through his connection to different homelands and cultures, he reflects on the shifting schemas that define how we perceive our world. The energy of a place, a fleeting scene, a modest object—these become his silent teachers. His work is not only an act of seeing but an invitation to re-see, to enter the world with softness, presence, and a poetic gaze.
 
Artist Bio
Zhen (Zhenjoy) is an independent artist and poet working across Chinese lacquer painting, natural mineral pigment, calligraphy, photography, and literature. Based in both China and Australia, his multidisciplinary practice reflects a poetic worldview grounded in cultural introspection and emotional clarity. His work resists the limitations of traditional form while embracing its philosophical depth, often following the guiding principle of “stop immediately when chasing”—a pursuit of beauty that is humble, intuitive, and quietly profound.
Shaped by his upbringing in Langfang, Zhougezhuang, and Gu’an, and more recently by nearly five years living in Australia, Zhen’s practice explores the evolving relationships between self, place, and cultural identity. He is fascinated by the contrasts between Eastern and Western thought, the layering of historical processes, and the emotional resonance of daily life. His distinctive perspective weaves together the personal and the universal, grounding his artworks in a world of subtle observation, layered meaning, and poetic rhythm.