Blue Sky Intern Spotlight: Meet Yuyang Zhang
Yuyang has been a much welcomed addition to our staff, contributing with enthusiasm to every project big and small—from the arduous task of cataloguing our library of nearly 1,000 books, to helping to de-install and install shows, to curating "Out of the Drawers" exhibitions, to sharing insight on the Exhibition Committee and filing condition reports. Yuyang was just about to enjoy a 2-week break to visit family back home in Wuhan, China, for Chinese New Year when word of the Coronavirus hit the headlines. He has thus been experiencing the impact of the pandemic twice over, away from his family as they were first enduring the unknowns, and now isolated in Portland. We are grateful to Yuyang for his positivity and continued contributions behind the scenes.
Where did you go to school and what did you study?
I went to Purdue for my undergrad and studied Hospitality, then graduated from PNCA with a graduate degree in Visual Studies.
What's one of your favorite places in Portland?
Laurelhurst Theater, it’s vintage, cute and sitting in a lovely neighborhood. Bonus: 50 Licks is across the street!
What do you miss most about your life in China?
Walking my mom’s dog in the early morning around the neighborhood, and finishing with some breakfast from street vendors. It might sound very senior living but hey who doesn’t love a peaceful stroll through a lively neighborhood with a dog?
How are you filling your time during the Stay at Home order?
I’m spending more time in the studio and picking up the sculptural works I left off before. I’m also trying more new recipes, now that I have all the time to cook at home.
We hear you like to cook, what are some of your favorite dishes to make?
The rumor is true, I love cooking! The cantonese claypot rice is my go to choice to please a crowd. Cheesecake is my favorite dessert to make, I can bake three styles: New York, Japanese and Spanish Basque.
What do you like about being an intern at Blue Sky?
There are so many things I really like about interning at Blue Sky! The best thing about this internship is the opportunity to get involved with major decision making. I also get a good amount of autonomy when tasks are given, which I think is beneficial for coming up with some very creative solutions. The mural for John Baldessari’s show was a perfect example. Oh did I mention the perks of working with this friendly and amazing team? I will definitely miss those bake-offs and happy hours!
What's your favorite thing to photograph?
I don’t have a specific favorite thing to photograph, but I’ve been focusing on urban subjects and scenes that evoke a sense of abstraction and minimalism. These two qualities contribute to imaginative and surreal scapes that allow viewers to escape from the busy and cluttered reality.
Do you have a favorite artist?
Can’t think of an all time favorite but I do have two that inspire me a lot. John Houck. His photographic works create indistinctive real and fake shadows, collages through a combination of photographing, rephotographing, creasing, and painting. The ending results are extremely optical deceptive. Eli Craven. His works challenge the idea of photography as flat objects with the manipulation of frames and introduction of unconventional materials. The works are very sculptural. I also love how most of his photos create a frustrating view experience by making the human figures partially distorted or blocked.
What do you hope to be doing 5 years from now?
Still working on the sculptural works using car parts. Having solo shows and getting a more stable life.
Anything else you'd like to share?
I’m not a fan of mushrooms.
Once drove all the way from Indiana to Montreal to eat at Celine Dion’s favorite smoked meat restaurant .
Everyone should go watch Schitt’s Creek.
Visit Yuyang’s website at www.yzhang.gallery and follow him on Instagram: @octopusmark