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KAYLYN ZHONG
Visual Arts Portfolio
Ballet Uncovered 1: Starved
24 x 22in, mixed media on illustration board
As a ballerina, my job is to make the movements look effortless. The problem is, it’s not. The following works were selected from a mini-series that exposes the unseen struggles of dancers.
This collage is a self-portrait that conveys pain on a mental and physical level. Constantly tortured by the strict standards of a perfect ballet body, the layers upon layers of magazine and cardboard strips reveal the complexity of decay. The focal skeletal structure shows my physical pain, but the surrounding numbers and figures show the mental pain—the constant calculation of protein intake and calorie deficit. Ink is dripped in the background to further emphasize my deteriorating condition and withering body.
As a ballerina, my job is to make the movements look effortless. The problem is, it’s not. The following works were selected from a mini-series that exposes the unseen struggles of dancers.
This collage is a self-portrait that conveys pain on a mental and physical level. Constantly tortured by the strict standards of a perfect ballet body, the layers upon layers of magazine and cardboard strips reveal the complexity of decay. The focal skeletal structure shows my physical pain, but the surrounding numbers and figures show the mental pain—the constant calculation of protein intake and calorie deficit. Ink is dripped in the background to further emphasize my deteriorating condition and withering body.
Ballet Uncovered 2: Ingrained
25 x 14 x 20in, pointe shoe assemblage
This assemblage was created using my own used pointe shoes. This work discloses the distressing truth behind my love for ballet: I fully accept the pain. As inferred from the title, dance is simply so ingrained in my body that the consequences are second nature to me. The box itself, with the clay textures of veins, represents my heart. I am finally opening up all the blood, sweat, and tears for the world to see. Nothing in life comes easy, even the elegant art of ballet.
This assemblage was created using my own used pointe shoes. This work discloses the distressing truth behind my love for ballet: I fully accept the pain. As inferred from the title, dance is simply so ingrained in my body that the consequences are second nature to me. The box itself, with the clay textures of veins, represents my heart. I am finally opening up all the blood, sweat, and tears for the world to see. Nothing in life comes easy, even the elegant art of ballet.
Nirvana
48 x 36in, acrylic on newsprint
This abstract work is a personal favorite of mine, in addition to being a pivotal point in my visual art journey. Created with brayers, scrunched tissues, dried brushes, wooden blocks, and more, the acrylic ink was smeared, splattered, and swept across the newsprint in expressive strokes. Incorporating my cultural Buddhist beliefs, this piece depicts Nirvana, or the enlightenment. In other words, it is the breaking free of a never-ending cycle and reaching freedom. Having been trained in traditional art techniques since the young age of five, this piece marked a new beginning in my art journey. I had finally found the courage to step outside my comforts in realism to explore different styles, like abstraction and Dadaism, and expansive mediums, including wire sculpting and digital design.
This abstract work is a personal favorite of mine, in addition to being a pivotal point in my visual art journey. Created with brayers, scrunched tissues, dried brushes, wooden blocks, and more, the acrylic ink was smeared, splattered, and swept across the newsprint in expressive strokes. Incorporating my cultural Buddhist beliefs, this piece depicts Nirvana, or the enlightenment. In other words, it is the breaking free of a never-ending cycle and reaching freedom. Having been trained in traditional art techniques since the young age of five, this piece marked a new beginning in my art journey. I had finally found the courage to step outside my comforts in realism to explore different styles, like abstraction and Dadaism, and expansive mediums, including wire sculpting and digital design.
In My Shoes 1: Consciousness
27 x 18in, micron pen and watercolor on illustration board
The following works are selected from a sustained investigation on conformity to external expectations. Growing up in a strict Asian household, a career in the arts was a taboo topic. Although trained in traditional art mediums from a young age, I was expected to only learn the techniques, not fall in love with the artistry. This series follows my journey to freedom in the arts, which I hope can encourage others to embrace their passions despite conventional criticism or challenges.
This first piece is a realist self-portrait that depicts the moment of apprehension where I finally realize that the shoes, or paths, around me are pre-established. The shoes are strategically placed closer to the viewers to create a low, foreshortening angle. The 3D effect in the foreground further develops the overwhelming nature of the shoes—conveying the pressure I feel to choose the “right” path in life.
The following works are selected from a sustained investigation on conformity to external expectations. Growing up in a strict Asian household, a career in the arts was a taboo topic. Although trained in traditional art mediums from a young age, I was expected to only learn the techniques, not fall in love with the artistry. This series follows my journey to freedom in the arts, which I hope can encourage others to embrace their passions despite conventional criticism or challenges.
This first piece is a realist self-portrait that depicts the moment of apprehension where I finally realize that the shoes, or paths, around me are pre-established. The shoes are strategically placed closer to the viewers to create a low, foreshortening angle. The 3D effect in the foreground further develops the overwhelming nature of the shoes—conveying the pressure I feel to choose the “right” path in life.
In My Shoes 2: Uncertainty
23 x 30in, poster color and oil pastel on illustration board
This illustrative, Keith Baker inspired piece reveals the struggle to escape conformity. After realizing the only way to true freedom is to reject the shoes—or societal restrictions—all together, there is still a lot of fear and doubt behind making such a decision. Exploring into the unknown alone, especially without any support, can make it extremely difficult to take the first step. The positioning and pale-yellow wash on the bare feet reveal a hesitation to venture down this clear path of freedom, however the child-like, illustrative style of the foliage mocks this nonsensical uncertainty. The unknown should be traversed and embraced.
This illustrative, Keith Baker inspired piece reveals the struggle to escape conformity. After realizing the only way to true freedom is to reject the shoes—or societal restrictions—all together, there is still a lot of fear and doubt behind making such a decision. Exploring into the unknown alone, especially without any support, can make it extremely difficult to take the first step. The positioning and pale-yellow wash on the bare feet reveal a hesitation to venture down this clear path of freedom, however the child-like, illustrative style of the foliage mocks this nonsensical uncertainty. The unknown should be traversed and embraced.
In My Shoes 3: Departure
21 x 14 x 12in, balsa wood structure
This wooden structure serves as the finale of the series depicting a breach of the boundaries. Within the large encompassing cube, the smaller cubes are confined to their accurate geometric shapes. Upon spiraling to the top and breaking past the border, the cubes can finally adapt amorphic, organic shapes. It is only after liberation that one can see the restrictions from before.
This wooden structure serves as the finale of the series depicting a breach of the boundaries. Within the large encompassing cube, the smaller cubes are confined to their accurate geometric shapes. Upon spiraling to the top and breaking past the border, the cubes can finally adapt amorphic, organic shapes. It is only after liberation that one can see the restrictions from before.
Reminiscence of Normal Life
18 x 24 in, watercolor on cold-press paper
I will always have a special place in my heart for this piece. This realism watercolor work was painted during the COVID-19 quarantine period, providing me with a source of comfort during uncertain times. The composition is simple: a collection of my friends’ drinks in the foreground with our cars in the background. Through a warm undertone, nostalgic feelings envelop the viewer —bringing us back to the days when we could freely hang out after school as teenagers. This observational work demonstrates wet-on-wet and wet-on-dry watercolor techniques with attention to reflective details.
I will always have a special place in my heart for this piece. This realism watercolor work was painted during the COVID-19 quarantine period, providing me with a source of comfort during uncertain times. The composition is simple: a collection of my friends’ drinks in the foreground with our cars in the background. Through a warm undertone, nostalgic feelings envelop the viewer —bringing us back to the days when we could freely hang out after school as teenagers. This observational work demonstrates wet-on-wet and wet-on-dry watercolor techniques with attention to reflective details.
A Limited Perspective Escape
18 x 24 in, pencil and watercolor on cold-press paper
This is a self-portrait to criticize my headstrong nature. Experimenting with an architectural approach, each line and angle represents a differing path or viewpoint. Though it is clear an obstacle is blocking the current path, my narrow-mindedness prevents me from choosing another direction. This work was created in hopes of reminding myself to always be open and adaptable when encountering difficulties in life. The line work leading towards the vanishing point in a two-point perspective creates an illusion of infinite depth, which alludes to the fact that continuing on this limited perspective path will only lead to perpetual self-destruction.
This is a self-portrait to criticize my headstrong nature. Experimenting with an architectural approach, each line and angle represents a differing path or viewpoint. Though it is clear an obstacle is blocking the current path, my narrow-mindedness prevents me from choosing another direction. This work was created in hopes of reminding myself to always be open and adaptable when encountering difficulties in life. The line work leading towards the vanishing point in a two-point perspective creates an illusion of infinite depth, which alludes to the fact that continuing on this limited perspective path will only lead to perpetual self-destruction.
Chained
30 x 15in, acrylic on wood board
An acrylic realist observation of a dumpster with a focal point on the chains. This piece demonstrates foreshortening and the compositional technique of leading lines to draw attention to a certain area in an artwork. The chains are a figurative representation of how I feel oftentimes in art, academics, and life. This particular piece is the first of 2021, which marks the beginning of my usage of the visual arts as a method of documentation during my journey of finding self within the arts.
An acrylic realist observation of a dumpster with a focal point on the chains. This piece demonstrates foreshortening and the compositional technique of leading lines to draw attention to a certain area in an artwork. The chains are a figurative representation of how I feel oftentimes in art, academics, and life. This particular piece is the first of 2021, which marks the beginning of my usage of the visual arts as a method of documentation during my journey of finding self within the arts.
![Uncertainty [planning] - Kaylyn Zhong](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/000141_baab55f1d44442738f7517170afd2814~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_1035,h_720,q_90/000141_baab55f1d44442738f7517170afd2814~mv2.webp)
Dance Portfolio
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