Yuxi Zhou traces an artistic path shaped by sudden discovery, steady discipline, and the ongoing search for expression. What began as a childhood pastime transformed into a purpose through consistent practice, confidence, and the support of family. The work reflects curiosity about connection, memory, and the unfinished nature of experience, while also acknowledging art’s role in making the world more vivid, meaningful, and alive.

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Can you pinpoint a single moment in your life when you realized art was not just a passion but your purpose? 

Before I turned 12, art was just a hobby to me and I would go to art classes occasionally with my friend but there was a turning point in the year 2016 when I woke up one day and saw a huge improvement in my art all of a sudden. It was a boost in confidence and I was practically drawing everyday whenever I had the time to. I also kept going to art classes consistently with the support of my whole family which I really appreciated back then and now. The constant classes helped me realize how much I enjoyed art and decided on pursuing an art school which is where I am now.

What do you think is the most meaningful role an artist plays in society today?

I believe the most meaningful role an artist plays in society is bringing color and beauty into a society that’s made to be functional. Without art, life would still probably be the same, but there wouldn’t be beautiful paintings in your living rooms, and every building structure would likely look the same with a plain design. Artists bring new ideas to life in structural designs and everyday objects, making the world a more colourful place.

Do you feel that a personal connection to your subject matter is essential? How has this connection shaped your work? 

I don’t believe that I need to feel a personal connection to all my subject matter, especially artworks that I’m drawing or painting for other people. But for the artworks that I do make, which I have a personal connection with, such as my self-portraits, some people would tell me that the portraits seem kind of eerily or silly.

Can you take us through the evolution of an artwork, from that first spark of inspiration to the finished piece?

For my painting “Connected Amongst Infinity Path,” I was inspired by a study abroad trip to South Africa in the beginning of 2025. During the trip, all the students, ages varying from college sophomores to college graduates, have time separately to work on different things but gather together during mealtimes. This made me think about how everyone is eating and living in the present moment together but we will all go our separate paths in the future and might never cross paths with each other again. I wanted to capture this feeling in the painting by leaving the painting looking unfinished with none of the figures completely painted. 

Can art be truly therapeutic? Have you experienced its healing power personally, or seen it impact others? 

Art can be truly therapeutic because oftentimes when I’m overwhelmed by something happening in my life I would pull up my playlist on Spotify and start drawing. This helps me almost instantly to feel calm, and often times when finals are approaching 

Is art created for the artist, the audience, or somewhere in between?

I believe that art is created for both the artist and the audience on most occasions unless the artist creates something that's only meant for their own eyes.

What artistic “superpower” would you choose to have, and how would it shape your work?

An artistic “superpower” I always wanted is to be able to draw my imagination exactly as how I pictured it without references. If I had this superpower I would have saved so much time because a lot of my time is spent taking pictures of my own references or searching for them online.

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The reflections of Yuxi Zhou reveal an approach to art that is at once personal and open, therapeutic and communicative. Inspiration becomes process, process becomes dialogue, and dialogue becomes a bridge between artist and audience. Whether through portraits, imagined worlds, or unfinished figures, the work carries both discipline and imagination, showing how art shapes not only images but the ways we see, feel, and connect.