Patchouli
Jieyu Zheng
26.06 – 26.07.2024
Opening: 26 June 2024
17.00 – 20.00 h.
ARTNOU
Emerging art festival in Barcelona and Hospitalet
Art Barcelona – Asociació de Galeríes
On June 26, 2024, at 17.00 h, the exhibition Patchouli by Jieyu Zheng will be inaugurated on the occasion of the 13th edition of Art Nou 2024, the emerging art festival of Barcelona and Hospitalet.
“For me, the Patchouli series of paintings focuses on the fusion of collectivism and individualism. I was born in China and grew up in a completely Asian cultural background before coming to Florence. Living here has allowed me to discover the differences between the political environments of Europe and Asia. I have witnessed the flourishing of individual rights and social mobility in European societies. This experience has also led me to reflect on the Chinese social environment, which is based on Confucianism and advocates social harmony and collective morals. As an immigrant, I try to observe the contrasts between the European and Asian political environments. I aim to provide viewers with a third-party perspective, highlighting the subtle yet distinct boundaries between these two social structures”.
Jieyu Zheng, Zhejiang, China, 1997. Lives and works in Florence. Her artistic career focuses on the interaction between memory and painting, exploring the dissolution of barriers between dreams and reality over time. Dominated by the color black, which symbolizes her existence, her work interrupts the darkness with points of light, representative of moments of returning to reality. After moving to Europe, Zheng seeks a new identity in a foreign society. The omnipresent black color becomes an emotional vehicle, inspiring the representation of new conquests through bright points of light. Memory takes her back to the nights of Wenzhou, linked to the persistent smell of patchouli, a symbol of identity and roots. Observing daily life, Zheng detaches herself from society to better understand herself, experiencing a sense of estrangement from each place. Trying to illuminate the darkness, her palette incorporates lighter tones, representing awakening through flashes of light in the darkness. Despite the lack of belonging, waiting and memories keep her tied. Zheng offers an intimate look at her exploration of society and identity, inviting the public to immerse themselves in an artistic journey rich in symbolism and introspection.