I think that there’s no artist who only works in one discipline. Yunxia Zhang thrives between two disciplines: architecture and fashion. Like so many people around the world, the pandemic has brought out a greater depth in creative aspects and Yunxia Zhang has also reflected this in her work.

A nomad, who has travelled alone around the world, Zhang has created 'RizRiz' as a space where to test, in a practical way, whether her theory of creation is true or not; we, as consumers, have enough clothes, but we’re missing the creative touch, the emotional breath that reflects our inner tenderness. This would be the essence of 'RizRiz'.

In Yunxia Zhang there is no one single concept; she flees precisely from the current instigation to be under labels and, moreover, she believes that the "creative liquid of humanity can escape through the folds", this is the temple of 'RizRiz': to make an organic creation.

Moreover, this space is open to reflection, to philosophy and is a necessary mirror for people to examine their inner questions or truths. Curiosity is really an engine for creativity and for people to reflect on themselves and their own concerns.

This is her sixth exhibition within 'RizRiz' and she hopes that in it each person can discover his or her 'own liquid' and survive among the chains. This was her motivation for opening 'RizRiz' in Paris.

Photo: @chiyoko.takada

Zhang doesn’t want to focus on just one thing and, above all, doesn’t want to stagnate and is constantly searching for encouragement and growth for her creative process and also to motivate the creative process of others through what she reflects in her exhibitions.

To escape the pandemic, Yunxia went from China to Los Angeles, to Paris, to Greenland, to New Zealand, before arriving back in China, where she was quarantined in a hospital for a month.

She was in Shanghai during the 3-month blockade, when the 27 million residents were completely confined. It was a total blockade, unable to go outside. She realised that death was right in front of her eyes. She realised that the paranoia and fear of the blockade was more tortuous than the pandemic itself because it is a disease of the spirit.

There were no truths, no absolutes, no certain conclusions. In those three years, she faced the pandemic: she faced confinement, she faced total body disinfection showers, she faced being dragged from place to place.

All this made her consider the poisonous effects that chains have on the human spirit, of any kind. The abduction of the soul.

In this exhibition, she has only one idea of how to escape from them: the liquidity that we already possess and hides in the corner of our heart.

She realised that in the midst of suffering, chains and isolation, the human spirit of liberal desire can still become liquid and bravely escape through the small holes.

The purest essence of creativity is liquid; the ability to find divinity, love and trust to give them liquid form and seep through the smallest holes in this prison of chains. This escape is also poetry. Creation is questioning, it is doubt, it is rebellion.

That is why this exhibition is so necessary and, if you can visit it in Paris, I highly recommend it. It will help those who visit it to reflect and discover that 'liquid' that Yunxia Zhang talks about, which is also in you.

The creative temple 'RizRiz' by Yunxia Zhang - Lupe Castro - MsLupeCastro