Zhongqi He: Emotional Solace and Social Commentary in Art

As a multifaceted artist, Zhongqi He explores diverse mediums ranging from book design to illustration and installation. Each of her creations challenges norms and delves deeply into emotional introspection.

Eat+

Zhongqi’s artistic journey began with a deep scepticism toward media, both traditional print and digital formats. In her project Eat+, she approached traditional Chinese food therapy as a conceptual entry point to question the truthfulness of printed media. She carefully selected several commonly known medicinal foods and, through scientific calculation, determined the daily intake needed for actual efficacy. She then translated these quantities into pages of a book, bound using the traditional Chinese “dragon scale” technique, transforming the piece into a sculptural art object. In the On Dit series, she turned her attention to the overwhelming abundance of online information and the crisis of trust. These works serve as a reminder not to blindly believe the internet or self-proclaimed “experts,” reflecting broader concerns around misinformation and cognitive overload in today’s society.

Last Goodbye

Zhongqi’s work has been featured in multiple exhibitions and galleries across London. Her practice is not only a form of artistic expression but also a reflection and critique of societal phenomena. Her piece Last Goodbye is a series of audiovisual works that simulate near-death experiences, using sound and imagery to provoke contemplation around suicide prevention. By extracting sensory elements from studies on dying, the project seeks to deepen appreciation for the value of life.

Another project, Emotional Cube, explores the multidimensionality of human emotions. Zhongqi materialised negative emotions into a cube, with each surface representing a visual and tactile exploration of a different emotional state. Through this approach, she translates intangible emotional experiences into tangible forms, offering comfort through artistic materialisation. Her unique perspective and incisive thinking make her work a bridge between emotion, media, and sociocultural discourse.

Emotional Cube

As her practice continues to evolve, Zhongqi constantly expands the boundaries of her medium. Whether reinterpreting traditional formats or critically reflecting on contemporary life, her works invite viewers to engage in reflection and self-exploration, revealing perspectives that are often overlooked.

With her insight and artistic talent, she offers audiences a window into the emotional and societal undercurrents that shape our times. In Zhongqi’s innovative practice, we find a quiet but resonant power—one that stirs empathy, sparks dialogue, and perhaps points toward the essential purpose of art today.