Suanna Zhong is a new media artist and computer scientist.
Currently, she is studying Computer Science and Fine Art with a
minor in Animation and Special Effects at Carnegie Mellon
University. Her work has been commissioned by Meta/Facebook,
Pinterest, Common Sense Media, and Dehancer.
Select works from the exhibition are available for purchase. If you
are interested, please do not hesitate to reach out.
The Gift
Oil on canvas, 20 x 24 inches, 2024. Modeled by Helena Starzec and
Marcus Rahauser.
Kaitlyn, Jessie
16 x 12 inches, Oil on wood panel, 2024.
Untitled
Graphite, 2024
两朵花
Oil on wood panel, 8 x 10 inches, 2024. Modeled by Lucy Hwang.
Solace
Oil on canvas and gessoed chipboard, variable dimension, 2024.
Modeled by Veronica Fuentes, Koko Sagae, and Viviana Staicu.
Regular Bride
Oil on cardboard, variable dimension, 2025.
Luncheon at Yosemite
Oil on wood panel, 46.5 x 24 inches, 2025.
Running Away from the Memory Diagram
Oil on canvas, 6.5 x 7 inches, 2025.
My Kristi
Oil on canvas, 5 x 9 inches, 2025.
Dad in Texas
16.75 x 11 inches.
Lucy for Meta Mag
16.75 x 11 inches.
Just Add Water
16.75 x 11 inches.
On Paintings and Drawings:
For the longest time, I used to think that the terms, painting and
drawing, could be used interchangeably. However, after speaking to
more painters, I found that grouping those two terms takes away the
special nuances they have to offer. Hence, I'd like to distinguish
between painting, drawing, and photography. To me, all three are
concerned with constructing compelling compositions within a plane.
However, photography is instantaneous and mechanical, which sets it
apart.
Now, let’s differentiate painting from drawing. Painting is about
building up and layering shapes —two-dimensional forms. It’s an
exploration of sets, a collection of points that define a flat
shape. Drawing, on the other hand, is about manipulating the
singular line—a one-dimensional parametric equation. While grouped
lines can create the illusion of a plane, they do not make a
painting.
One more distinction: I typically draw on a flat surface, whereas I
paint on a propped-up canvas.
On Photographs:
My photography journey began in high school as a way to expand
beyond painting and drawing. Through portraiture and editorial work,
photography allows me to connect with people and engage with pop
culture on a broader scale. Beyond capturing portraits, I am drawn
to photographing landscapes—an effort to recreate the solace found
in natural phenomena and the nostalgia of growing up in California.