Artist Category: Adult 19+

Biography

Zilla Fu is a Hong Kong-Canadian artist based in Vancouver, known for her innovative work in painting and sculpture. She explores the relationship between feeling and colour and insider and outsider identities. Her family’s support has been instrumental in her success as an artist. Lately, she began working in Superflat digital art, creating a series of works called Maeko and River. She has also studied 3D modelling and animation, focusing on 3D animation to enhance her understanding of the human body. Her work breaks down the traditional boundaries of art and explores the purity and hybridity of art and life.

Artist Statement

As an artist, I believe that multiculturalism, diversity and anti-racism are crucial themes that need to be discussed and reflected upon through art. Sunrise, Afternoon, Sunset and Midnight Series and I’m Dead Inside are part of The Edges of Canvas group of sculptural paintings.  It reflects the theme of diversity in its approach to breaking the silence of traditional painting and inviting the audience to personalize and interact with it. By using the canvas edge as a critical component of the artwork, I aim to showcase the importance of embracing differences and celebrating individuality.

Moreover, my work highlights the significance of labour and childhood, which are integral parts of our diverse identities. The layered process of dividing, folding and laying the canvas symbolizes the complex and often invisible labour that goes into shaping our identities. By bringing this process to the forefront, I hope to encourage viewers to reflect on the labour of those who have contributed to their own identities and to acknowledge and appreciate the richness of diversity.

The Edges of Canvas group of sculptural paintings embodies the themes of diversity and anti-racism by promoting individuality, encouraging interaction and highlighting the importance of labour and childhood in shaping our diverse identities.

Sunrise, Afternoon, Sunset and Midnight Series

If you could choose a time to reflect on yourself, what time would you choose?

Sunrise is the symbol of the beginning of a day. The sun slowly shines on everything and some people like to watch the first sunrise of the year from a mountaintop or their home window. Sunrise seems to break the silence of the long night. The warm orange and yellow colours fill our hearts with warmth. It is the time when we choose what attitude we want to have in life.

The afternoon is often the most hectic period of the day, as we are preoccupied with numerous tasks and challenges while constantly surrounded by noise. In the past, I would frequently seek solace in the serenity of a nearby park during my lunch break. Sitting on the grass, basking in the sun and gazing at the expansive sky above provided a brief yet precious respite during an otherwise demanding workday. During these peaceful moments, I wondered if the current trajectory of my work life was in line with my aspirations and personal goals.

Sunset has the ability to evoke a sense of romanticism and signify the end of a day’s work. Observing the sunset with keen eyes can aid in predicting weather patterns for the next day, taking into account the elements of cloud cover, air quality, humidity and wind speed. As an artist, I am consistently fascinated by the ethereal beauty that a dramatic sunset presents, and it serves as a poignant reminder of our diminutive existence in the grand scheme of things. Despite humanity’s attempts to establish a system that governs all aspects of life, we remain subject to the natural cycle. It is worth considering with whom one wants to share this awe-inspiring moment and how one can treat other creatures in the world with compassion.

At midnight, it is expected that one would be asleep, but for many people, this can be a challenging task. The weight of life’s stresses, unfulfilled expectations, the pressure to be perfect, missing someone or experiencing feelings of anger and sadness can make midnight the most emotional time of the day. The mind is filled with numerous thoughts and managing them can be difficult. Despite the exhaustion of our bodies, our brains continue to work, potentially impacting performance the next day. It can also be a time when one is afraid that midnight will pass, and they will have to face the new day. Our minds are in a constant battle.

The beauty of this world is that we are living in a diverse society. There is no wrong in having a different attitude towards life, as long as we respect each other. Treasure the uniqueness of each individual and explore the unknown together.

I’m Dead Inside

Have you ever experienced the suffocating sensation of a vice grip on your heart, coupled with the inability to breathe properly? Despite the overwhelming urge to alleviate the agony, it often seems impossible to do so. As decay spreads throughout the body, like a malevolent mold, it invades every crevice, leaving one feeling shattered and broken. The once vibrant and lively individual is reduced to a hollow shell, devoid of feeling or emotion, a mere walking dead.

The heart in humans, a symbol of vitality and life, is no larger than a closed fist. However, its proper functioning depends on three fundamental components: arteries, veins and nerves. If any of these elements were to fail, it can feel as though an unseen force is slowly eroding the body from within, rendering it weak and defenseless.

As humans, we all have a heart to maintain our lives. It is not different for us to experience dispersed moments, times when we feel weak and useless, regardless of the culture we grew up in. Accepting our weaknesses and empathizing with others is the key. Together, we can strive for something greater than a corrupt heart.

Website: zillajw.wixsite.com/home/about

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