Alisdair Zhang

“Azalea” is a fully digital painting. I intentionally imitated Art Nouveau and added biopunk alien creations, resembling entities emerging from the wall, with blood-soaked tentacles, teeth, veins, and fungal composites forming divine wings. This is an illustration of Azalea, the protagonist of my animation/manga series, a mimicry entity.

I've continuously developed stories about Azalea, who suffers from severe schizophrenia, paranoia, and self-isolation, traveling through various tales. Azalea, unaware of her true origin, mimics any appearance, keeping her inner self hidden and satisfying her identity through performances that invert roles at climactic moments, achieving a pathologically twisted sense of fulfillment.

A recent graduate of the Pratt Institute, I specialize in digital painting and electronic arts, creating comics, animations, and illustrations. My work showcases deconstructed narratives, incorporating Jungian psychoanalysis. For eight years, I've worked with autistic children in my hometown, interpreting their drawings for public welfare activities, aiding their communication. I find their art potent and reflective of their inner thoughts. I oppose political attempts to discipline these children to legitimize rule, infringing on their artistic expression.

AZALEA

Digital Painting

58 x 31cm