Zhang Ruyi

After the 2022 lockdown in Shanghai, Zhang Ruyi became more aware of everyday materials and small barriers—tiles, plastic film, mist, or railings—and how they can feel like emotional and physical boundaries.

In Water Stain she mixes outdoor materials like ceramic tiles and plastic film to reflect on how urban environments influence our inner world.

Dim Light Buildup by Dust Suspended in Air is a cactus-like sculpture made from cement and electric wire. Dust becomes visible when it settles and hardens, revealing hidden stories within buildings and structures.

In her exhibited works, Zhang Ruyi uses fragile film and a closed-loop handrail to echo the tension of yearning and reflect memory, distance, and history back to the self.

Zhang Ruyi explores the human condition through urban spaces, using everyday building materials to create installations that reflect people’s inner feelings and the world around them—without ever showing the human figure.