Ziqi Chen is an artist based in Glasgow, currently a Master’s student at the Glasgow School of Art. Her artistic practice centres around juxtaposition, examining the visual convergence of organic forms and digital constructs. She explores the possibility of harmony between the natural and the synthetic, which reflects a broader inquiry into the evolving role of imagery within post-digital oversaturation. She is particularly interested in how contrasting materials and symbolic systems – such as biological textures and pixelated structures – can coexist and interact on a single surface. Through this process, her work investigates not only aesthetic relationships but also how we perceive and navigate images in a visually saturated environment of the post-digital era.

See Ziqi’s work as part of our annual Summer open call, Something in the Mirage, which runs July 17th to August 8th, featuring an incredible collection of works by twenty nine artists inspired by the dreamlike shimmering of summer sunshine, heat hazes, lingering afterimages, or maybe the momentary glint of something half-seen and half-imagined in the dappled golden light.

Hi, Ziqi! How did your artistic journey start?
There’s a funny and absurd story behind this. According to my mother, when I was in kindergarten, there was a parent-child activity where parents were invited to draw with their kids. At the event, my mom drew a tiger that looked nothing like a tiger, and I burst into tears on the spot because it was so ugly. From that day on, I resolutely decided to learn how to draw, becoming the first person in my family to study art.

How has your practice changed over time?
I initially used digital media for painting. Later on, drawn by the unique and unpredictable textures and randomness that come with hand-drawing, I began shifting toward non-digital methods. By experimenting with various materials, such as oil paint, printmaking, and acrylic, I eventually found my current favorite: waterclour. It allows for many interesting layering and sedimentation effects. I hope to continue exploring the possibilities of different media in the future.

Which artists inspire you? Are there non-artistic influences such as literature or music that impact your work?
David Salle is a very intriguing artist. His large-format paintings are often layered and incorporate a wide range of culturally specific images, texts, and objects filled with provocative elements. In his works, we can see many seemingly unrelated elements harmoniously combined within a single composition. This perfectly reflects the theme I aim to explore – juxtaposition. In addition, due to my background in design, I have a strong interest in the digital symbols and characteristics found in electronic media. For example, when digital images are enlarged, their resolution decreases, and jagged edges begin to appear. I refer to this as a ‘miniature of poor image’, and I’ve also incorporated such elements into my own creative practice.

What emotions or reactions do you hope viewers experience when they see your artwork?
I tend to enjoy and appreciate it when different people have different interpretations of my work. That’s why I don’t usually explain my intention behind a piece right away. When people look at the same image and come up with completely different understandings, I feel like I can glimpse the logic and tendencies of their thinking and imagination, which is both fascinating and heartwarming. For example, in one of my previous works, I painted a large green abstract shape. Some people thought it looked like a giant tropical leaf, while others saw a portrait-like face. But in fact, my original intention was to depict a cactus. Isn’t it precisely this uncertainty and diversity of thought that makes the world so vibrant?

How do you overcome creative blocks?
When I feel uninspired, I go sketching, sit on the lawn for a while to enjoy the natural surroundings, or visit the botanical garden to see if any unusual plants might spark some ideas. Being in touch with nature is a great way to reset myself. Of course, I also sometimes chat with friends – maybe a single sentence will ignite a new spark. After all, inspiration always comes from life.

What advice would you give to artists who are just starting out?
I hope every artist can live for themselves and create for themselves. To me, expressing one’s inner world is an honest and genuine act – and such vivid, sincere artistic expression can become a continuous source of creative energy. Sometimes, external criticism might leave you feeling lost, but don’t forget to follow your heart and stay true to why you started making art in the first place 🙂

Find out more about Ziqi’s work on Instagram. Something in the Mirage runs at Six Foot Gallery until August 8th 2025.