Lingling Zhao’s practice is at the intersection of modern painting, mysticism, and traditional Chinese iconography and philosophy luminously expressed in a series of unique imaginary worlds
Artist Biography
Lingling at work
Contemporary painter Lingling Zhao’s practice in at the intersection of modern painting, mysticism, and traditional Chinese iconography and philosophy luminously expressed in a series of unique imaginary worlds. As such, Lingling’s vibrantly colored paintings offer stirring depictions of otherworldly beauty, spiritual beauty, and translucent treatment of light and form, intended in part to act as a vehicle for enlightenment and self-discovery.
Lingling grew up in China, and her creative journey began with her architect father whose collection of art and artifacts inspired Lingling to begin drawing and painting at the age of five, driven by the mystery, complexity, and richness of the visual world. Lingling would go on to study fine art at Southwest State University, Minnesota, and earn her BA from the Northwest Textile University, Xian, China.
While a student Lingling was the subject of a solo exhibition entitled Tropical Accents, Gallery 416, Minneapolis, and St. Paul, 1993. In addition to various private commissions, the artist’s work appears as the cover illustration for the book Presentation Techniques of Patter Design by Shao Hua Lian, Hunan Art Publisher, 2005. Museum collections includethe Japanese American Museum, Lost Angeles, and various private collection worldwide.
Lingling grew up in China, and her creative journey began with her architect father whose collection of art and artifacts inspired Lingling to begin drawing and painting at the age of five, driven by the mystery, complexity, and richness of the visual world. Lingling would go on to study fine art at Southwest State University, Minnesota, and earn her BA from the Northwest Textile University, Xian, China.
While a student Lingling was the subject of a solo exhibition entitled Tropical Accents, Gallery 416, Minneapolis, and St. Paul, 1993. In addition to various private commissions, the artist’s work appears as the cover illustration for the book Presentation Techniques of Patter Design by Shao Hua Lian, Hunan Art Publisher, 2005. Museum collections includethe Japanese American Museum, Lost Angeles, and various private collection worldwide.
Special commissions include the installation of paintings at the Spring Hill Suites Convention Center, Las Vegas, 2018, and at the US-China Cultural Association, Las Vegas, 2017. Lingling was also recipient of the Young Artist with Most Potential Grant, McKnight Artist Program. Sect group exhibitions included the Sahara Library Gallery, and NUCCA, 218 Las Vegas, the University of Costa Rica, 1995, and the Northwest Artist Show, Marshall, Minnesota, 1993 among others.
By Rosa JH Berland Art + Design / Art Historian, Curator + Writer