Shi Zhou - Biography

About the Artist

Biography

Born in Guangzhou, a canton bay area city in the south of China, Shiyun Sharon Zhou grew up loving and drawing animals. Her mother’s friend owned a pet shop, providing endless inspiration to work from. This led to a keen interest in creating works of art involving people and animals.

Shiyun is an artist originally from China, whose passion for art was encouraged from a young age. She began her creative journey studying graphic design in the U.S., and in 2019, she pursued an MFA at Laguna College of Art + Design. After the pandemic disrupted her studies, she continued her artistic training at the Los Angeles Academy of Figurative Art, focusing on drawing and painting for three years.

Zhou has studied drawing and painting under Repin Academy graduate Leon Okun as well as renowned figurative artist Glenn Vilppu. Her works mainly focus on the relationship and feelings between animals and people. Her objective is to capture and express this very special bond.

About my narrative...

I find narrative in my memories with animals that evoke emotions of love and grief. I dig deeper into these emotional memories related to specific moments and people. Connecting people with animals is my art. My stories have two ways of interpretation. The first layer lends itself to the more universal interpretation, such as the feeling of love. The next layer involves a personal reflection from the mystery of life, including the grief that I have struggled with that has partly shaped me into the person I am today. I find my healing from grieving in my paintings. In contrast with painting the sweet moment between animal and people, I intentionally hid another threatened subject or moody atmosphere around them to reveal the harsh reality of life. Painting the relationship between my selective people is self-healing and reflecting on the immutable past in life.

EXHIBITIONS

2025 Exhibizone LOVE 2025, Virtual Online, Biafarin Inc.

2024 LAAFA Graduation Show, The Messengers Art Gallery, Santa Monica CA

2021-2022 Fall-Spring, Best in Show, Los Angeles Academy of Figurative Art, Van Nuys CA

2020 Power + Vision MFA Thesis Virtual Exhibition, Laguna College of Art and Design, Laguna Art Museum CA

2019 Emerging Masters 2019 exhibition, Laguna Art Museum, Laguna Beach CA

2019 The City’s Annual Art That’s Small at City Hall Exhibition, Laguna Beach City Hall, Laguna Beach CA

MEMBERSHIPS

California Art Club Student Program

My Resume is attached.