![](https://harveygalleries.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Mei-Zhao-300x300.jpg)
BORN
Tianjin, China
STUDIES
2022
Master of Fine Art (Painting), National Art School
2019
Bachelor of Fine Art (Painting), National Art School
ARTIST STATEMENT
My current project focuses on Chinese market gardens in Sydney and regional NSW, in which local indigenous and colonial histories were embedded with the physical characteristics of these marginal, low-lying, densely farmed zones in the local ecosystems. Inspired by the composite view of Google Maps that combines aerial view and street perspectives, I create work transforming geographic features of these gardens as intertwined colours, forms and patterns using the methods of Chinese landscape painting and abstract expressionism in diverse media. Through this process, I seek to embrace a culturally diverse position of place within the expanded field of painting, in which landscape can express living memories while simultaneously embodying an artistic process of understanding the nuanced social and cultured landscape in which we live.
SOLO EXHIBITIONS
2023 – July – August, Dragon’s Lair Gallery, Hurstville Museum & Gallery, Hurstville
2023 – September – January 2024, Bayview Gallery, La Perouse Museum, La Perouse
GROUP EXHIBITIONS
2023 – February – Harvey Galleries/ NAS Group Show
2022 – Post Grad Show, National Art School, Sydney
2020 – The Clyde & Co Art Award Exhibition, Sydney
2019 – Grad Show, National Art School, Sydney
COMPETITION AND AWARDS
2022 – Awarded the small grant from Create NSW
2022 – Awarded the Squatter’s Artist Residency, the Foundations, Portland
2020 – The Clyde & Co Art Award, Sydney: First Prize