Judges' comments

In her works, ZHOU QINGYI reveals the problems of modern society. It shows the ugly, disturbing moments that people are forced to hide. This is a very tough but honest view of the world. Sometimes it's really important to be brave and talk about what's going on around you. This is the only way we will have a chance to change everything.

Ekaterina Borodacheva

Zhou’s work evokes a strong sense of mysticism and religious symbolism. I really appreciate the subtle color shifts embedded within the pencil strokes. The compositions are expressive and full of energy, with a raw, emotional edge.

Max Liu

The artist excels at portraying scenes with a slightly eerie atmosphere, yet without causing discomfort—instead, they evoke a sense of curiosity and intrigue. Upon closer inspection, the artwork reveals a wealth of carefully placed details, making it a piece that invites repeated viewing and deep appreciation.

Moon Q

Zhou Qingyi’s work blends surrealism with psychological narrative, crafting dreamlike spaces that evoke discomfort, irony, and reflection. Each drawing is meticulously textured with colored pencil strokes, creating a vibrating surface that enhances the tension between form and content. Recurring motifs — bodies in transformation, hidden eyes, stitched mouths — suggest themes of gender, identity, and control. The theatrical compositions and symbolic distortions turn personal experience into visual allegory, forming a complex, uncanny universe.

Nadiia Zhelieznova

The artist employs fluid, dynamic brushstrokes to soften stark color contrasts and creates a dramatic tension in the image, which is impressive. Qingyi distills five 'prejudices' common in the Eastern world, transforming and reinterpreting them through her unique artistic language. The reprocessing approach not only preserves the inherent sense of estrangement but also captivates the viewer's curiosity to uncover the hidden 'truth'. Furthermore, the artist's acute sensitivity to the world is manifested through a highly personalised expression and a repertoire of symbolic visual elements, which together form her distinctive signature.

Yimin Wang

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