Nose, Tail | Zhao Qian

INTRODUCTION
 
This project continues Zhao Qian's exploration of the intricate relationship between images and illusions, a theme he has pursued in recent years. He delves into images that can evoke illusions—such as the invisible friends imagined by children, the singing teapots of Disney animations, unseen shadows, and extraordinary monsters beyond logic. Zhao attempts to translate those illusions that are difficult for images to capture, like the world seen through the eyes of someone with floaters, where ghostly, transparent shapes drift aimlessly.
 
His image practice is rooted in these "images of illusion," all the while maintaining a vigilant stance against the collective illusions that images can induce. Zhao's atlas practice acts as a rebellion against the panopticon-like model rooms of today. By merging the two, Zhao captures and freezes the glitches that occur in contemporary technological imagery, revealing the true nature of image-induced illusions—individual or collective madness born from an overflow of information.
 
 
ABOUT ARTIST
 
Zhao Qian, born in 1990 in Jiujiang, Jiangxi, obtained his Master of Fine Arts degree from the California College of the Arts in 2018 and currently lives and works in Shanghai. Zhao focuses on the fluid imagery of animals, the mechanics of games, simulated behaviors, and the translational function of images.
 
His solo exhibitions have been held at the Lianzhou Museum of Photography, Jimei-Arles International Photography Festival, Houston Center for Photography, Gene Gallery, Inner Flow Gallery, and Filter Space in Chicago.
 
His work has been widely exhibited at institutions such as the UCCA Center for Contemporary Art, Three Shadows Photography Art Centre, K11 Art Foundation, China Academy of Art Museum, A4 Art Museum, Zhejiang Art Museum, Sichuan Art Museum, Today Art Museum, Rashford-Hanham Castle in Ireland, Kala Art Institute, the French Pavilion in Croatia, Museum of Contemporary Art in Zagreb, and the Ogden Museum of Southern Art.
 
His work has also been showcased at international festivals including the Format Photography Festival in the UK, Unseen Photography Festival in the Netherlands, Singapore International Photography Festival, Athens Photo Festival, Copenhagen Photo Festival, Lodz International Film Festival, Photo Shanghai Art Fair, Art Xiamen, and Art Beijing.
 
Zhao Qian has received the Houston Center for Photography Annual Photography Award (2019), was a finalist for the Huayu Youth Award (2020), and was a finalist for the Jimei-Arles Discovery Award (2022). He has also received academic scholarships to participate in artist residency programs at locations including the Swatch Peace Hotel, A4 Art Museum, Points Center for Contemporary Art, The Chinese University of Hong Kong (Shenzhen), Organhaus art Space, Vermont Arts Center, Kala Art Institute, and Cow House Studio.
 
SPECIFICATIONS
 
Size: 170 × 225 × 5 mm
Format: Paperback, 80 pages
Published by P for Pinecone, November 2024
Limited edition of 300 copies