erros

eros zhao

Information

First Name: eros

Last Name: zhao

City: Long Beach

State: California

Education:

China Central Academy of Fine Arts, 2002-2006, Beijing, China
Degree: Bachelor of Fine Arts
Major: Fine art/Chinese Painting

General Information

My passion for art developed at a young age while growing up in China. My father, who is also an artist, trained and helped me develop my skills with Chinese painting. I attended art-focused educational institutions as early as eleven years old. I worked extremely hard to develop and hone my skills over the years. My artistic journey resulted in acceptance to the Central Academy of Fine Arts in Beijing, China, an internationally renowned art institution. Prior to completing my coursework in Beijing, I was invited by Qingdao Artist Association to exhibit my artwork in May of 2006. In December 2006, I also published a book of my sketches. I have always had a strong love for various forms of art. Especially when I painted issues about my life and what I am interested in conveying. One of the central subjects of my artwork has always been gay subject matter. My artwork reflects many experiences of my life, and different interests I have, such as Greek mythology, Chinese mythology, Astrology, tarot cards and mythical ways. I believe that through my artwork, I can open up other people to different ways of thinking and relating issues between people; I also see my paintings as my own way of fighting for our rights. These are all issues I face in my life, and believe my paintings are a good way to reach out to other people about equality.

Statement/Mission

By reason of my passion of the occult sciences, my artwork often features stories from Greek mythology or figures of tarot cards set in Chinese landscapes to do some witchcraft inhabited by mythical Chinese creatures. There is also astrology secret through hidden messages. There is often a water element in my work, symbolizing a near and ever-present danger that drives the starring actor to the edge. Furthermore, I tend to place mountains in the background to symbolize hope of a better place that is always just out of reach. My paintings are always set at night, symbolic of the gay community that lives in the night, wanting sunlight but afraid to be seen. Despite the lack of natural light, I use bright and vivid colors from the entire spectrum to show the life and vivacity of the subjects. I consider myself an active participant of the gay-rights movement and consciously seek to reflect and capture the sentiments of the political struggles gay men and lesbians have historically faced, and continue to face today. Many of my paintings seek to educate the observer on subject matters, including gay rights, which incorporate different beliefs and cultures through symbolism. I paint the different ways to deal with fighting for gay rights: violence and fighting, hiding from the issues, or thinking of better ways to support our beliefs. Certainly, love and relationship is also another important subject about my painting.