Jesse Zuo
Jesse Zuo is a Chinese New York-based figurative painter. She earned her BFA and MFA from the School of Visual Arts, forming the foundation for a deep commitment to being a fine artist. Her artistic expressions can be likened to a personal diary, a reflection of life as a young woman navigating the complexities of a foreign environment. Jesse adheres to the roots of traditional realism yet injects a modern twist with chromatic colors, providing the audience with greater freedom to interpret the time and place of the depicted moments.
Collect Bean: What is one of your current goals as an artist?
Jesse Zuo: I felt somewhat conflicted about answering this question in the most practical way possible because it’s something that’s been on my mind. My current goal as an artist is to find a balance in working a day job to support myself and my practice financially while not letting it slow down my growth as an artist. Though I believe that’s a difficulty many emerging artists would face, I wanted to speak of it to remind whoever’s reading this that might be in the same situation that we are in this together.
Collect Bean: Where are you currently finding inspiration?
Jesse Zuo: My paintings are based on everyday events that unsettle me in ways that could occur to everybody, especially those who share a similar identity as mine. They come quite randomly; I try to pay attention to the day-to-day norms. I’m also very lucky to have made friends with other artists who brainstorm with me and remind me of those little things I would have missed that could have been great painting ideas.
Collect Bean: What role does color play in your practice?
Jesse Zuo: Color is very sensual for me. In my process, sometimes the idea happens first, and sometimes the colors. Whichever sparks me, I come up with the other complementarily. It’s hard to put into words, but I hope my choice of color was able to convey my emotions.
Collect Bean: How do you incorporate feedback or criticism into your artistic process?
Jesse Zuo: Something beautiful and unique about being a fine artist is that we allow room for the audience to think and speak freely in this world. I’ve always found it exciting and, at times, surprising to hear how the viewers perceive my art; the other side of this is that some opinions could be negative or hurtful to learn even; while I do care how others respond to my art, I try to find a middle ground of changing myself for the better but not to be bothered too much that I lose my intention.
Collect Bean: If you could give your younger self one piece of advice, what would it be?
Jesse Zuo: I would tell myself to be less afraid to put in effort just because it might not pay back. I think for a long time, I was tip-toeing the idea of fully committing to pursuing my dream to be a fine artist because so many others tried and couldn’t make it, and it was terrifying seeing others around me giving up on their dreams one by one. Now, being a much more determined self, knowing this is what I want to do and the importance of having grit, I wish I had this mentality years ago. Not every effort you put in would immediately bring the desired outcome, or it might never, but you would never get there if you didn’t work for it.
