Odele Eleanor Zhang Open Studio (Jungle)
chashama gallery, New York, New York, 09/22/2014 - 10/13/2014
ABOUT
chashama New York is pleased to present Odele E. Zhang’s open studio exhibition of new works by
international artist Odele.E Zhang. Animals are her focus. These animals often “travel” to places that they
shouldn’t appear or encounter the man-made items. Odele creates open-ended images and does not interpret
her own works. Rather, she is drawn to have the audience interpret, reflecting their own psyche and isms.
If one has to summarize, themes such as the conflict in seemingly harmonious settings run throughout her
works. The lack of human figures allow the audience of different cultural backgrounds to fundamentally
connect, suggesting possibilities of world peace and cross-cultural understanding. Through active audience
interpretations across the world, there’s poignant pattern that the image means only what the viewer is
concerned with.
Camel I (2014 Berlin) is a camel whose two humps have become German houses instead. A German viewer
at the Berlin show wrote, “humanity is constantly evolving,” another, “the foundation of our civilization is not
strong.” One who has been moving around a lot said, “the artist isn’t fully settled yet.” A viewer from central
Asia expressed, “camel represents Asia, holding on his back the rest of the world, like Europe.” Yet, when
taken to the Chinese audience, two Chinese young women said that it infers we all have to take on large and
stressful housing loans.
Chimpanzee I (2014 Berlin) is a chimpanzee sitting on a jeweled like box enjoying his peaches with back
towards the audience. Few said that this animal reminds of the Chinese story of the Monkey King.”You just
gotta do what you want and not care too much about how others judge.” Concluded another. Snake II (2014
Berlin) is a snake slithering out of a mysterious door towards the audience with the hanging laundry beside.
One Chinese American said there is a strong biblical reference, “Adam/Eve of course. The undergarments
on the left is literally hanging you dirty laundry for the world to see, so don’t do bad things as eventually the
world will know.”
Leopard I (2013 Shanghai): blue leopard, riding atop a leopard skin pattern hot air balloon with shape of two
towers. The balloon hovers over a flat, arid landscape with a lone tree silhouetted against the blue horizon
under a dark and grey sky. Had the leopard lost his spots to the balloon? Were the towers a “castle in the
air,” an impossible dream? Or a comment on China’s real-estate “bubble”? The towers had crosses on top,
so perhaps the balloon was flying heavenward. Or was it descending to the desert below? Was the grey sky
a storm, or a reflection of Shanghai’s recent pollution woes? These great interpretations all come from the
varied audience.
After the Wild Boar stomping down a city street alley or a bookshelf was it @ROCKBUND Shanghai
show(May 2014), the Blue Surgeonfish chilling in a Church or arcade was it @HOLLYWOOD Road Hong
Kong show (June 2014), and the Goat submerging in water to support German castles @Berlin (July 2014),
what inspirations and animals will Odele bring to New York? Come visit the open studio/JUNGLE during
September.22—October.13 2014 Every Day 10am - 6pm at 266 W 37th Street, New York, NY.
For More Information
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chashama New York is pleased to present Odele E. Zhang’s open studio exhibition of new works by
international artist Odele.E Zhang. Animals are her focus. These animals often “travel” to places that they
shouldn’t appear or encounter the man-made items. Odele creates open-ended images and does not interpret
her own works. Rather, she is drawn to have the audience interpret, reflecting their own psyche and isms.
If one has to summarize, themes such as the conflict in seemingly harmonious settings run throughout her
works. The lack of human figures allow the audience of different cultural backgrounds to fundamentally
connect, suggesting possibilities of world peace and cross-cultural understanding. Through active audience
interpretations across the world, there’s poignant pattern that the image means only what the viewer is
concerned with.
Camel I (2014 Berlin) is a camel whose two humps have become German houses instead. A German viewer
at the Berlin show wrote, “humanity is constantly evolving,” another, “the foundation of our civilization is not
strong.” One who has been moving around a lot said, “the artist isn’t fully settled yet.” A viewer from central
Asia expressed, “camel represents Asia, holding on his back the rest of the world, like Europe.” Yet, when
taken to the Chinese audience, two Chinese young women said that it infers we all have to take on large and
stressful housing loans.
Chimpanzee I (2014 Berlin) is a chimpanzee sitting on a jeweled like box enjoying his peaches with back
towards the audience. Few said that this animal reminds of the Chinese story of the Monkey King.”You just
gotta do what you want and not care too much about how others judge.” Concluded another. Snake II (2014
Berlin) is a snake slithering out of a mysterious door towards the audience with the hanging laundry beside.
One Chinese American said there is a strong biblical reference, “Adam/Eve of course. The undergarments
on the left is literally hanging you dirty laundry for the world to see, so don’t do bad things as eventually the
world will know.”
Leopard I (2013 Shanghai): blue leopard, riding atop a leopard skin pattern hot air balloon with shape of two
towers. The balloon hovers over a flat, arid landscape with a lone tree silhouetted against the blue horizon
under a dark and grey sky. Had the leopard lost his spots to the balloon? Were the towers a “castle in the
air,” an impossible dream? Or a comment on China’s real-estate “bubble”? The towers had crosses on top,
so perhaps the balloon was flying heavenward. Or was it descending to the desert below? Was the grey sky
a storm, or a reflection of Shanghai’s recent pollution woes? These great interpretations all come from the
varied audience.
After the Wild Boar stomping down a city street alley or a bookshelf was it @ROCKBUND Shanghai
show(May 2014), the Blue Surgeonfish chilling in a Church or arcade was it @HOLLYWOOD Road Hong
Kong show (June 2014), and the Goat submerging in water to support German castles @Berlin (July 2014),
what inspirations and animals will Odele bring to New York? Come visit the open studio/JUNGLE during
September.22—October.13 2014 Every Day 10am - 6pm at 266 W 37th Street, New York, NY.
For More Information