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Jasphy Zheng’s stories from the room: Archiving pandemic experiences through art

The COVID-19 pandemic has inspired artists like Jasphy Zheng to use their craft in interpreting the collective experience

Photo courtesy of Jasphy Zheng
Photo courtesy of Jasphy Zheng

Opinions expressed by Digital Journal contributors are their own.

The COVID-19 pandemic has inspired artists like Jasphy Zheng to use their craft in interpreting the collective experience. Zheng, a conceptual artist renowned for her immersive and socially engaged works, has taken a distinctive project called “Stories from the Room” to document the pandemic. This series has been showcased in prestigious locations such as the Rockbund Art Museum and CCA Kitakyushu, providing an artistic archive of the pandemic’s impact on individuals and communities.

Zheng explains, “’Stories from the Room’ began as a personal endeavour to understand the isolated experiences during the lockdown. It quickly evolved into a collective narrative, capturing diverse and poignant stories from across the globe.”

Educational and professional prowess

Photo courtesy of Jasphy Zheng

Jasphy Zheng’s academic and professional journey, deeply intertwined with her artistic vision, reflects her dedication and prowess in contemporary art. A distinguished graduate from the Rhode Island School of Design, Zheng’s education laid the groundwork for a career marked by notable achievements and recognition. Winning the Special Selection Award of the RanRan Youth Art Award in 2022 highlights her rising influence in the art scene. 

Zheng’s work, characterized by its engagement with social themes and community interaction, has been showcased in various esteemed museums and institutions worldwide. This trajectory underscores her artistic talent and unwavering commitment to utilizing art as a potent social commentary and transformation medium. Her diverse work, including environmental installations and interactive sculptures, shows her ability to intertwine artistic expression with public engagement and social practice, establishing her as a significant figure in contemporary art.

The essence of human connectivity

The heart of Zheng’s work lies in its exploration of human connectivity. In “Stories from the Room,” she presents a series of installations and performances that delve into the nuanced emotions and experiences of enduring a global crisis. The project weaves individual stories, each contributing to a larger narrative about resilience, loss, and hope.

“The pandemic, in its universality, brought forth an array of individual experiences,” Zheng observes. “Through this project, I aimed to create a space where these stories, often unspoken and unseen, could be acknowledged and shared.”

Zheng’s method blurs the divide between artist and audience, inviting viewers to become part of the narrative. This interactive element is distinct to her work, reflecting her belief that art should be a collaborative and transformative encounter. The installations in “Stories from the Room” often require audience interaction, turning passive viewers into active participants.

Zheng notes, “I see my role as a facilitator creating frameworks where stories can be shared and connections formed. The audience’s participation is what truly completes each piece.”

The relevance of Zheng’s work is underscored by recent data showing the pandemic’s profound impact on the art world. A 2023 Arts Economics report reveals that the global art market experienced a major shift during the pandemic, with a surge in online art sales and a heightened focus on socially relevant themes. The report also indicates a growing interest in art that addresses universal experiences, a category where Zheng’s work comfortably fits.

Documenting a global epoch: Jasphy Zheng’s artistic reflections

As the world continues to navigate the post-pandemic era, artists like Zheng are crucial in documenting and interpreting collective experiences. “Stories from the Room” is an artistic endeavour and a record of a unique period in history.

Zheng concludes, “This project is more than an artistic expression; it’s a chronicle of our times. It’s about finding meaning and connection in unprecedented global upheaval.”

In “Stories from the Room,” Jasphy Zheng offers a poignant and thought-provoking exploration of the pandemic’s impact on individual and collective narratives. Her work affirms the power of art in reflecting and shaping the understanding of the world.

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