By: NuoYan Guan
Currently featured in the group exhibition I-body at Cevera Yoon Gallery, Los Angeles-based multimedia artist Zoe Ze Zhou is steadily drawing attention for her work that blurs the lines between fine art, biotechnology, and sculpture. A graduate of the California Institute of the Arts (MFA, Fine Art + Integrated Media), Zoe’s artistic practice has long centered on the idea of coexistence between the human body and living organisms, using materials such as hair, plants, and even biological molds cast from her own body.
Zoe’s work is currently on view at I-body, a timely group exhibition exploring fractured embodiment and the physical archive of identity. In this show, Zoe presents two notable works: My Mouth as a Plant’s Pot, an ongoing performance project involving real plant growth from a cast of her oral cavity, and Budding Itch, a visceral fiber-based sculpture that evokes both tenderness and transformation.
For many artists, the year after graduation is a delicate balancing act between uncertainty and creative drive. For California-based multimedia artist Zoe Ze Zhou, this first year has been a journey of perseverance, adaptation, and an unwavering commitment to her artistic voice.
What distinguishes Zoe is her refusal to separate the internal and external realities of the body. Her installations often begin with acts of biological intimacy—planting, growing, fermenting—and build toward collective questions about survival, vulnerability, and ecological symbiosis. Whether through wearable fungal sculptures or breath-activated environments, Zoe’s art always returns to the body as both subject and landscape.
In 2025 alone, her work has appeared in Puddle at Puddle Gallery, Some Like It Hot at California Creative Arts Pocket Gallery in Burbank, and Pride Month at Carter Sexton Artist Gallery. Her installations have also reached broader audiences through The Face, The Figure with Las Laguna Art Gallery’s online exhibition, and thematic shows such as 1985 at The Colony Theatre Exhibits and Work from Home at The Reef.
Her international exhibition history includes participation in events such as the 13th Edition of London Contemporary at LEMENTS Contemporary Art Space in England., Where’s the BEEF in California, Edible Enigma in New York, and Hair at Gainesville Fine Arts Association Gallery in Florida, among others.
For Zoe, each exhibition—whether local or international—is a chance to explore new contexts for her work and connect with audiences from different walks of life. “The past year taught me that the art world isn’t a straight path,” she reflects. “It’s more like a web—some connections are small and local, some stretch across oceans, but each one matters.”
As she continues navigating the realities of post-graduate life, Zoe remains committed to creating work that bridges the personal and the political, the body and the environment. With I-body marking another milestone in her evolving career, it’s clear that her path—though challenging—is one she’s determined to follow, one thoughtful, provocative installation at a time.
(Screenshot of video piece: My Mouth as a Plants Pot)
Zoe’s first year after graduation has been about more than just finding opportunities; it has been about defining her identity within the art world. She highlights the importance of staying true to herself, even amidst the uncertainty of what the future holds. “The struggle is part of the journey,” she reflects, recognizing that each challenge offers valuable lessons in resilience. While some artists may feel pressure to follow trends, Zoe’s commitment to her unique artistic vision has helped her stand out. Looking ahead, she plans to continue her exploration of biotechnology and humanism, pushing the boundaries of her work. As she further develops her techniques, Zoe remains focused on her goal of deepening the dialogue between art, biology, and identity. Her journey underscores that, while the path to success may be filled with obstacles, perseverance, self-expression, and staying true to one’s values are crucial in leaving a meaningful impact.
For more on Zoe Ze Zhou’s work, visit: https://www.zoezezhou.com/