Exhibit Highlight: stupid little life

Chinese-born, Portland-based artist, Yuyang Zhang, showed a collection of collages and a series of photographic diptychs.

His work oscillates between found "formal constructions" and social commentary in a media-driven world.

Through pop culture references and temporal iconography, Zhang's work investigates personal and cultural identities, and social and political issues.

"This exhibition also encapsulates the artist's mindscape during the turbulent 20-month process of O-1B visa petition as a Chinese diaspora."

"Layers of old Chinese propaganda posters, screenshots, and personal photographs strip the subjects out of context and place them in new American settings."

"Historic communist propaganda is repurposed to bridge past and present-day China, then seamlessly blended with American political and cultural iconography." 

"The juxtaposition creates new narratives built upon fragments deconstructed from the original. It also exposes sources of persistent stereotypes and prejudices that often burden people from China or with Chinese heritage."

This balance shapes its own reality between levity and seriousness, beauty and sorrow, peace and tension. stupid little life fosters a space for all, but most importantly for anyone who doesn't feel as though they are 'being enough.'"