Through the lens of Taoist philosophy, Keer Zhang’s final project at Central Saint Martins reflects both her artistic development and her dedication to animal welfare. With a focus on ancient Chinese culture and today’s pressing environmental issues, Zhang’s work offers a thoughtful commentary on both myth and reality when it comes to animals. It’s also a snapshot of her evolution as an artist, as she moves from traditional methods to more modern approaches like large-scale installations and animation.
Back in Unit 1, Zhang’s focus was on marine life—particularly the endangered sea turtle. Her animation dove into the stark contrast between the reverence ancient China held for animals, especially the turtle god ‘Xuanwu,’ and the damage caused by modern environmental neglect. The narrative is haunting: a character, after taking sleeping pills, finds themselves transported back to ancient China, where the mistreatment of sea creatures mirrors the cruelty they still face today. Zhang paired this animation with a symbolic installation—plastic balls representing turtle eggs and a harpoon to signify the violence against marine life—pulling the viewer deep into her message of environmental urgency.
It is striking how Zhang, despite being a new animator, chose to leap into the unknown in this early work. Her bold decision speaks volumes about her courage and determination to find new ways to convey her messages. She emphasizes the delicate nature of marine ecosystems through symbols like the sand and plastic eggs in her installation. By producing these works, she calls for human responsibility to protect the planet’s most vulnerable species. She even integrated a black-and-white book she created during a CSM publishing workshop, showcasing her knack for blending different forms of art into a cohesive, multidimensional message.
For her final project, Zhang took a turn from animation and delved into large-scale installations, creating four animal figures: a deer, a goose, a turtle, and a rabbit. These animals weren’t chosen randomly; they’re loaded with Taoist symbolism and represent her deeper dive into Chinese mythology, religion, and environmental themes. Each animal holds a specific place in Taoist beliefs. The deer, a symbol of longevity and good fortune, represents the Taoist ideals of living in harmony with nature, while the rabbit, tied to the moon and immortality, reflects her ongoing fascination with the spiritual connection between humans and animals.
Through these installations, Zhang not only brings these Taoist myths to life but also sheds light on the current crisis facing wildlife. Her sculptures, rich with religious and cultural meaning, extend the conversation to the spiritual and ecological importance of animals today. The turtle, a prominent figure in her earlier work, reappears in her final project, symbolizing the continuous thread of her artistic journey and her unwavering commitment to environmental causes.
In her thesis, Zhang delves into the Taoist portrayal of animals in art, arguing that anthropomorphism is key to understanding their spiritual and cultural roles. In Taoism, animals aren’t just creatures; they’re seen as divine beings with whom humans share a spiritual connection. Zhang connects this idea with modern environmental movements, suggesting that protecting animals is not only a moral responsibility but also a spiritual one. By exploring the symbolic meanings of animals like the dragon and phoenix, she taps into the richness of Chinese heritage while also advocating for real-world conservation.
Zhang’s shift from animation to large-scale installations was a daring move, one that highlights her versatility as an artist. Unlike animation, installations dominate physical space and invite a more immersive, hands-on experience for the viewer. Zhang herself mentions that these installations pushed her to face new technical and material challenges, ultimately leading to personal breakthroughs. The ambitious scale of her final project, which is her largest to date, speaks to this growth.
While Zhang has expressed concerns that her health may prevent her from continuing to create such large-scale works in the future, she remains committed to exploring her core themes: animal protection and Taoist philosophy. She plans to revisit animation and painting, continuing to investigate the intersection between animals, nature, and spirituality. Her constant drive to experiment with new media reflects a restless curiosity that will surely fuel her artistic journey for years to come.
Zhang’s work isn’t just about artistic expression; it’s a passionate call to action. Her projects remind us that art has the power to raise awareness about urgent environmental issues, and her innovative use of multiple mediums brings that message to a broader audience. Whether through animation, books, or large installations, Zhang consistently highlights the need for a balanced relationship with the natural world, blending her love for ancient Chinese culture with her concern for the future of the planet’s wildlife.
In the end, Keer Zhang’s final project represents the culmination of years of artistic exploration and personal growth. By combining traditional Taoist beliefs with modern environmental concerns, she has created a body of work that is not only visually captivating but also deeply thought-provoking. Her ability to seamlessly transition between mediums and engage with complex cultural and ecological themes marks her as an artist whose influence will resonate far beyond her time at Central Saint Martins.