Artist Bio:

Cui Jinzhe, pen name Qiu Shi, painter, multidisciplinary artist. She was obsessed with painting & drawing since her childhood. Jinzhe was born and raised in Dalian, China, where she studied painting at No. 15 Art Middle & High school, visual communication for BA and mix-medium for MA at School of Arts Design from Dalian University of Foreign Languages and Dalian Polytechnic University.

Jinzhe's creation mainly focuses on the following three directions: First, to observe and reflect on the current daily life and surroundings, and then create visual images and texts inspired by the inner reverie and imagination evoked from her solitude and observation. Two, based on Chinese ancient classical literature, integrate the perception and experience of her individual's current life, to create paintings that reflect ancient traditions in contemporary expression with her unique ink language. Third, developed from painting, through experimentation and the interaction with multiple disciplines, to derive a new creative process and artistic experience.

At the end of 2008, Jinzhe moved to Canada and started her professional career as an independent artist in Edmonton. With the support of Canada Council for the Arts, Jinzhe just completed a series of handmade artist books based on three ancient Chinese book format - hand scroll / folding sheets / Chinese album last year. Currently, with the support of Edmonton Arts Council, she is working on a series of fairy tale painting and writing inspired from her daily walk experience in the River Valley of Edmonton.

Deep thanks to Canada Council for the Arts, Edmonton Arts Council, City of Edmonton, Edmonton Heritage Council, Saskatchewan Arts Board, Government of Saskatchewan, City of Saskatoon, Access Copyright Foundation, Hemera Foundation, Zen Mountain Monastery, Tassajara Zen Mountain Center, Mactarggart Collection, Metropolitan Museum of Art, and everyone like you who have made Jinzhe' s various projects possible and be seen.