Zoe Hannah Stern

Zoe Hannah Stern is a visual artist born and based in New York City. She earned her MA in Art Education from New York University and her BFA from Syracuse University. Alongside her career as a middle school art teacher, Zoe’s work confronts personal and societal issues head-on, often drawing from her own life experiences. She believes deeply in the power of art to enact social change, using her pieces to challenge perceptions and inspire reflection. With a focus on exploring identity, conformity, and societal expectations, her art capitalizes on the transformative potential of creativity. Zoe’s future works will continue this mission, pushing boundaries and encouraging dialogue.

Collect Bean: How do you think your work has evolved?

Zoe Hannah Stern: My artwork has evolved by digging deeper into my personal identity while still sticking to the pop art style I’ve always loved. In the beginning, I was all about texture, but now I’m experimenting with new materials like sand to add more layers and meaning. This shift has allowed me to express more of my own journey, especially around themes like belonging. As I try new techniques, my work is becoming more personal, mixing the boldness of pop art with the more complex, intimate parts of who I am.

Collect Bean: Are there any recurring themes or motifs in your art, and if so, what do they represent to you?

Zoe Hannah Stern: Recurring themes in my artwork include societal pressure, personal struggle, and the nature of mistakes. I often explore the overwhelming influence of technology and media on our lives, examining how irrelevant content and constant notifications shape our behavior. I delve into the pressures of conformity, particularly through the lens of drug use, reflecting on how society often forces individuals to alter themselves to fit in. The apathy toward everyday life and major societal issues is a consistent metaphor in my work, as is the critique of materialism and our obsession with brand names. I also investigate the complexity of human mistakes, encouraging viewers to reflect on and embrace their imperfections rather than hide them. Finally, I tackle issues of gender and oppression, particularly through visual metaphors that highlight the harsh realities of sexual assault. These motifs challenge viewers to think critically about their interactions with themselves, society, and the world around them.

Collect Bean: How do you approach the balance between experimentation and consistency in your art?

Zoe Hannah Stern: I approach the balance between experimentation and consistency by using texture as a focal point in my work. I am always open to exploring new techniques and materials, like my recent experiments with sand. This research is important to maintain the vibrant, pop art element which allows me to express a more personal, intimate side of myself. This experimentation is about evolving, while still holding onto the core of what makes my art recognizable and true to who I am.

Collect Bean: How do you balance your practice with your daily life?

Zoe Hannah Stern: As a public school teacher, I am always looking to explore new themes, media, and artists in order to keep my students’ work fresh and interesting. This is a part of my job, but it always seems to seep into my work, even when I’m not really trying or thinking about it. While being a teacher can seem unrelated, it’s really ingrained into my practice as an artist. It is a challenging job, but I feel lucky to have a space where I can both share my skills with others and receive so much inspiration and fulfillment in return.

Collect Bean: How does where you grew up influence your work?

Zoe Hannah Stern: Growing up on Long Island with a Jewish father from the area and a mother from the Philippines, made me feel like an outsider among my classmates, which deeply influenced my art. That sense of not fitting in gave me a lot of time to reflect on identity, conformity, and societal pressures—recurring themes in my work. The duality of being raised with two very different cultures, informs my exploration of societal expectations, personal struggles and mistakes, as well as how we navigate complex identities in a world that often pressures us to conform. These experiences are at the heart of my creative process, pushing me to question societal norms and embrace imperfections.