Zona Yuechen Guan
Yuechen Guan, also known as Zona, is an incredible artist in New York and Shanghai. With a diverse background in various artistic disciplines, Zona’s passion for the arts began very early. She has gained recognition for her photography, painting, acting, dance, and music work. Her recent series of photographs, Juxtapose, explores the intersection of traditional Chinese dance and modern culture.
She co-founded 1M Creative, a mission-driven organization committed to promoting emerging and mid-career artists by providing a platform to exhibit their works and reach a wider audience. The organization fosters creativity and innovation in art by encouraging artists to experiment with new techniques and ideas. She has worked as a Design Manager for New York Embroidery Studio and as a Freelance Photographer, Makeup Artist, and Designer. She also served as a Senior Designer for the SVA Yearbook Design Team.
Juxtapose is an extraordinary photographic series created by Zona, showcasing modern culture's beauty, evolution, and influence on traditional Chinese dance, resulting in a unique blend of styles. Each image showcases the intricate movements of the dancers and the vibrant colors of Chinese dance, capturing the essence of this captivating art form.
Juxtapose is being exhibited at the "Past, Present, Future: The Discovery around fragments of Life" exhibition at the Time Arts Gallery in New York City from March 10-12. The exhibition highlights the beauty and complexity of Chinese classical dance and how it has evolved in response to the influences of modern culture. Through her stunning photography, Zona captures the intricacies of the dance and the different interpretations of its practitioners, inviting viewers to explore the intersection of these two cultures and how they continue to influence and enrich one another. During the exhibition's premiere, esteemed visual artist and the founder of Dear Dave Magazine, Stephan Frailey, photographer and the Chair of MPS Digital Photography department at School of Visual Arts (SAV) Tom P. Ashe, were present at the exhibition and praised Zona's work.
They said, "Zona's photographs capture singular objects that somehow function as dancing tropes in both a poetic and regimented manner, showcasing her incredible artistic skill." It is worth mentioning that Zona's photographs have been exhibited in the United States and internationally. Her work has received critical acclaim and featured in high-circulation publications such as Marika Magazine Fashion, Sainteight Magazine, and Selin Magazine."I am thrilled to share my latest series of photographs, Juxtapose, with the world," said Zona. "It has been a passion project of mine to capture the beauty of Chinese classical dance and explore its transformation over time. I hope these images inspire others to appreciate this unique art form and its rich history."Zona's exhibition is a must-see for anyone interested in the arts, cultural exchange, and the intersection of different artistic traditions. It is a testament to her artistic skill and ability to capture the essence of a complex and beautiful art form.
