We had the good fortune of connecting with Zheng Ma and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Zheng, what’s one piece of conventional advice that you disagree with?
“Follow the path walked by others,” or, in simpler terms, “Stay Safe.” When I was still growing up, I often heard such words of caution: “One wrong step, and every step will falter,” or “Life is not a game.” These words mostly came from elders and teachers, who frequently compared my generation, the Z generation, to those who had already witnessed the flourishing of past eras and societal transformations. They presented their lives as a template, one that seemed to hold profound value and guidance. These pieces of advice were not without merit; however, they were so guiding, so narrowly focused, that they began to stifle my open-mindedness and courage, eventually becoming nothing more than excuses for “not daring to try” or “fearing failure.”

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
Art has been a profoundly challenging path for me. It brings both confusion and joy, a contradiction that fascinates me and makes me feel at peace with myself. Last year, I completed my Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from the School of Visual Arts.

Back in middle school, I wasn’t a popular kid, but the camera became my bridge to connect with other classmates. That was when I completed my first photography project, capturing portraits of all my classmates with my rather amateur skills. Through this project, I, who wasn’t good at socializing, gained many friendships and solidified my commitment to an artistic journey.

Without any familial background in the arts, I had to navigate this path on my own. Five years ago, I arrived in New York, a city completely unfamiliar to me, to pursue formal art education. Along the way, I encountered many incredible artists, professors, and peers, and I gradually came to realize that I am not particularly gifted in this field. That means I need more efforts. As a perfectionist, it’s hard for me not to pick apart my own work. Discovering my “bad photos” often leaves me frustrated. Yet, my passion drives me to overcome setbacks and refine my craft by addressing these deficiencies.

In the past five years, I was eager to bring every idea in my head to life, intentionally adding “colors” or meanings to my work, but I often forgot to pause, think, and reflect. Now, I let time guide my art, allowing thoughts to gradually merge into my creations, letting my art shine spontaneously for itself.

Today, art has become my way of observing, entering, and changing the world. I hope my work can convey my observations and thoughts to the world, serving as evidence of my existence and a testament to the existence of this world.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I once visited a small town called Babylon in Queens, New York, and I think I would love to bring my friends here. It’s a quaint and culturally rich town—quiet, cozy, and far removed from the hustle and bustle of the city. Here, you can find many affordable and authentic local restaurants. Being by the sea, the town offers an abundance of unique seafood delicacies.

Unlike the chaotic vibe of New York City, the streets in Babylon are remarkably clean and tidy. From the train station, it’s just a two-mile walk south to the dock. When I visited during the winter, I noticed that nearly every house had a boat parked in their yard.

At the dock, you can sit down, watch the sunset, admire the seagulls, and enjoy roasted marshmallows—it’s an incredibly serene and delightful experience.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I want to give a shoutout to all the pioneering women who, with their resilience and courage, have inspired countless girls trapped in adversity, facing discrimination and injustice, to find confidence and strength. It is their relentless efforts that ensure future generations won’t be easily brought down by stronger winds.

The great Marie Curie has been a tremendous source of inspiration for me. In the face of all injustice, she proved that achievement reigns supreme. Her perseverance and serious attitude toward life paved the way for my pursuit of dreams.

In college, I learned about a group of women who marched through the streets, dressed in their finest dresses and holding cigarettes, aiming to challenge societal norms and break the stigma against women smoking in 1929. While this march was highly controversial, I still want to pay tribute to these brave women walking the path of freedom and equality.

Website: https://zhengmahiddenworld.cargo.site/

Instagram: @zheng_maa

Linkedin: https://linkedin.com/in/zheng-ma-08b2a4235

Image Credits
©Ma_Zheng

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