Zoe Sijia Guo 郭思嘉
About
Sijia Guo 思嘉 郭 (b.1996), also known as Zoe, is a trilingual visual artist based in London. Her background in sociology and illustration, combined with her experiences of growing up in China and Japan, inform the multi-layered subject matter of her work. She employs a variety of materials, such as drawing and ceramics create symbolic associations in her art. By merging personal narratives, cultural symbols, and innovative materials, She focus on invites audience reflection and empathy, encouraging them to explore their own journeys of belonging and self-discovery. Through the use of vibrant colors, intricate patterns, and childlike imagery, she aims to depict the struggles and triumphs of outsiders and inspire empathy and understanding through her art.
Exhibitions
Room, kara-S Gallery (カラス) Kyoto Japan (2020)
South London Lab in the Peckham town centre park, London (2020)
Picks kara-S Gallery (カラス) Kyoto, Japan (2021)
The One Pound Super Short Film Festival, London (2022)
The XP Awards in London (2022)
Southwark Park Gallery Annual Open Exhibition, London (2022)
Pri’s Art Salon: METAMRPHOSIS, London (2023)
‘Open Art’ Art Number 23 BCN Barcelona, Spain (2023)
WAAITT2023 Group Show, Easter Gallery, London (2023)
Aesthetics of Bliss, 67 York Street Gallery, London, (2023)
Publishing
Broken Englizh x 3rdwrld Sold Out Publishing London UK （2022）
Chapbook Series 2 ‘Freedom’ Collection of Poems & Stories (2023)
Statement
My practice encompasses diverse mediums such as printing, ceramics, and installation, transcending both physical and emotional boundaries. It reflects the intricate journey of reconciling my Chinese and Japanese upbringing, fostering a profound comprehension and acceptance of cultural and individual disparities. My art delves into the discomfort of cognitive dissonance and personal alienation, employing my own encounters as a wellspring of visual symbolism.
The genesis of my recent work was a few old photographs sent by my estranged father. A particular photo sparked a flood of questions and uncertainties. A little girl of four, standing with my parents — was this child really me? The memory of that time in my life is hazy, like a dream, with this photograph serving as the sole tangible evidence of my past in China.
In another photo, my mother had lost all of her hair due to breast cancer treatment, and with a left arm weakened due to a mastectomy, couldn't lift heavy objects anymore. She relied on my help to carry grocery bags after shopping. These experiences, deeply personal and transformative, have shaped my understanding of strength, sacrifice, and the complexities of life, which I explore within my practice.
Savage One, The One Who Runs Barefoot
Savage One, The One Who Runs Barefoot
This explores the path towards growth. It delves into the question of how many steps one must traverse to achieve a state of self-confidence.
The story begins with my mother's courageous battle with breast cancer and the subsequent absence of my father. Following my mother's recovery from surgery, her physical limitations prevented her from lifting heavy objects. These events, combined with my relocation to Japan, fostered a profound sense of not belonging within me. These intricate layers of personal history are intricately woven into my artistic practice. The worn-out wooden ladder becomes a symbol of overcoming adversity. The characters ascending the ladder represent the resilience and strength that emerge from personal growth and self-acceptance.
Through my work, I aim to convey the emotional complexities stemming from these experiences, offering viewers a glimpse into the depths of my journey.
Medium: Mixed Materials (Plaster, wool, expanding foam, wire, newspaper, wood)
Size: 176 x 60 cm
Ceramic Narratives
Ceramic Narratives
My work is a journey of self-discovery, meant for personal reflection and interpretation. It captures the transformative process of embracing fluidity and flexibility, breaking free from rigidity, and cultivating a more authentic identity. It invites viewers to explore and feel the artwork in their own way.
Medium: Ceramics
Size: Varied
Our own face changes
Our own face changes
I began my journey as a silent observer during my childhood, struggling with self-expression. My experiences, defined by my upbringing in China, the school's suppression of my local dialect, my mother's fight against breast cancer, and father's subsequent absence post my mother's recovery, have all shaped my understanding of my place in the world. Compounded by my mother's post-mastectomy physical limitations and my subsequent move to Japan, I grappled with feelings of dislocation and alienation. Now, I acknowledge that if I was still in China, I wouldn't be the person I am today. My process of adapting to new environments, the initial discomfort, and the eventual appreciation of beauty in these different spaces, has moulded my world view. This challenging, yet enlightening metamorphosis has afforded me a profound understanding of myself and the world around me. From my past experiences and my current circumstances, I draw strength, reflecting these deeply personal narratives into my work.
Medium: Alaric, Digital ,Letterpress Printing
Size: 420 x 297mm