ZEJIAN SHEN
zesansan@gmail.com
@zejian__
Zejian Shen, b. 1987, Beijing, received a BFA from the Rhode Island School of Design, in 2010 and a MFA from the Beijing Film Academy in 2014. Shen's painting practice began in 2022 after experiencing burnout and disillusionment from her corporate survival jobs.
Her works on canvas and board in acrylic and gouache use traditional subjects to weave historical and cultural motifs into an examination of the cult of consumerism as it relates to the polycrisis. Through investigating the deeper meanings behind everyday objects when juxtaposed with priceless cultural artifacts, Shen’s work is an exercise in the “worship” of craftsmanship in that it centers and recenters the viewers’ attention on the humanity and connection of handmade objects versus mass-produced pieces that may embody iconographies of pop culture, aiming to induce a renewed appreciation and inspire the act of creation over consumption.
The artist lives and works in Upstate New York.
RECENT EXHIBITIONS
2024 XYZ Bananas, Chris White Gallery, Wilmington, DE
2025 Creatures, Every Time Institute, Taylor, TX
2026 Earthen Plot, Upstate Art HQ, Kingston, NY