On July 26, 2022, I bought some brushes, oil colors and canvas paper from an art store in Newtown and began my art journey. Since then, I have never stopped painting.
My name is Yuanzhou Zheng. I was born in China and moved to Australia in 2004. I completed my masters degree of professional accounting at UTS in 2011. Currently, I am a full-time second-year student majoring in oil painting at the National Art School.
Before turning 37, I worked in various jobs, a salesperson, accountant, bank officer, and self-employed, etc. Although I have always had a deep love for art, I never received any formal training. Without this training I never imagined I could become an artist, until two years ago when I first picked up a brush.
In July of this year, one of my works was selected as a finalist in the Mosman Art Prize, marking my first finalist recognition. In August, another work was selected as a finalist in the Hornsby Art Prize. These two occasions represent all of my exhibition experience so far.
One after another, the great difficulties of art bring me anxiety, confusion, and self-doubt. But at the same time, art also rewards me generously with an indescribable pleasure of the soul. It has helped me find the significance of perseverance and passion. So, as long as I live, I will create art.
Established in 2021, the National Emerging Art Prize was created to provide an annual, highly visible national platform to identify, promote and support the most promising emerging visual and ceramic artists in Australia.