Meet Mengru Zhou

We recently connected with Mengru Zhou and have shared our conversation below.

Mengru, appreciate you making time for us and sharing your wisdom with the community. So many of us go through similar pain points throughout our journeys and so hearing about how others overcame obstacles can be helpful. One of those struggles is keeping creativity alive despite all the stresses, challenges and problems we might be dealing with. How do you keep your creativity alive?

I don’t think creativity is something you “maintain,” really. It feels more like breathing—a constant exchange with the world around you. If anything, I think it’s about keeping that flow alive rather than holding onto it.

For me, creativity often comes from a sense of “estrangement.” When we grow too familiar with our surroundings or too comfortable with our ways of expression, we stop seeing things for what they are. So, I try to re-examine the familiar, whether it’s the way light filters through a leaf outside my window or the rhythm of an ordinary day. It’s in these overlooked moments that I often find the urge to create.

Philosophically, I often ask myself: what is the purpose of art? For me, creating is a way to respond to existence itself. We live in a world full of contradictions and complexities, and art allows me to navigate and balance those tensions. Sometimes I think creativity grows from a sense of incompleteness—a need to explore and express what feels unresolved or uncertain.

I also believe in the power of crossing boundaries. Engaging with people from different fields, exploring unfamiliar mediums, or immersing myself in a culture I don’t fully understand—all of this opens doors to perspectives I wouldn’t have encountered otherwise. Those “aha” moments, where I suddenly realize there’s another way of seeing or doing something, are incredibly energizing.

In the end, creativity is an ongoing dialogue—with myself and with the world. As long as I stay curious and open to that exchange, creativity has a way of flowing back in its own rhythm.

Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?

Thank you for the opportunity to share my story.

I am both a painter and the founder of TEAOC.ART, a platform dedicated to showcasing the brilliance of Chinese artists on the international stage. My journey as an artist is deeply intertwined with my role as a founder—my experiences as a painter shape my vision for the platform, while my work with TEAOC.ART inspires and enriches my creative practice.

As a painter, I have spent nearly a decade immersed in this field. My art revolves around storytelling and delves into the complexities of human existence, focusing on the tension between the visible and the invisible. When I speak of an “underlying sense of insecurity,” I am referring to the fragility and ambiguity that define modern life. Today, our identities, relationships, and even our sense of reality are in constant flux—shaped by external forces yet profoundly personal.

Through my art, I aim to magnify this ambiguity and give it form. I explore themes of impermanence, duality, and emotional vulnerability, often employing vibrant colors and intricate details to reflect the interplay between change and stability. Fragmented compositions or subtle disruptions of symmetry serve as metaphors for the intangible: unspoken fears, fleeting connections, and quiet moments of self-reflection that underpin our shared humanity.

At the same time, founding TEAOC.ART is my way of giving back to the art community. This platform is not just about promoting art; it’s about cultivating connections—between artists and audiences, tradition and innovation, East and West. Through TEAOC.ART, I’ve had the privilege of working with many exceptional artists who share a passion for pushing boundaries while staying true to their roots.

Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?

Looking back, three qualities have been particularly impactful in shaping my journey: resilience, adaptability, and the pursuit of continuous learning.

Resilience: The ability to persevere through challenges has been essential. In the art world, rejection, self-doubt, and setbacks are inevitable, but it’s crucial to push through. Whether it’s a failed exhibition, an unfinished piece, or a moment of creative burnout, resilience keeps me moving forward. My advice to those early in their journey is to embrace failure as part of the process, not as a roadblock. Every challenge is an opportunity to grow and refine your practice.

Adaptability: The art world is constantly evolving, and the ability to adapt to new tools, styles, and market demands has been invaluable. As I expanded my platform, TEAOC.ART, I found that the ability to quickly adapt to the changing dynamics of the global art scene was essential. For newcomers, I recommend being open to experimentation, not only with your creative work but also with new ideas and ways of approaching the industry. Being flexible allows you to seize opportunities and stay relevant in a fast-paced environment.

Continuous Learning: Art is an ever-evolving practice, and I believe that a commitment to learning and self-improvement is crucial for long-term growth. Whether through formal education, collaborations with other artists, or simply learning from personal experiences, I always seek to expand my knowledge. My advice is to stay curious and seek out new influences—whether it’s studying art history, learning from other creative fields, or experimenting with new techniques. The more you expose yourself to different perspectives, the richer your work will become.

In summary, I believe that resilience, adaptability, and continuous learning are key to success. They allow you to weather challenges, grow with the times, and never stop evolving as both an artist and an entrepreneur. For those starting out, my advice is to approach the journey with an open mind and a commitment to developing these qualities over time.

What is the number one obstacle or challenge you are currently facing and what are you doing to try to resolve or overcome this challenge?

Right now, the biggest challenge I’m facing feels like a tug-of-war—on one side, there’s my world of creation, and on the other, there’s the responsibility of running TEAOC.ART.

As an artist, every painting is an extension of my inner world. My creative process is like a conversation with myself, where every stroke, every color, carries deep emotion and thought. It’s a solitary journey, quiet, profound, and full of challenges. To let a piece of art breathe and grow, I need to immerse myself fully, to embrace the flow of inspiration and the fleeting moments of intuition.

But as the founder of TEAOC.ART, I’m also wearing a completely different hat. I’m dealing with the platform’s operations, managing artists, curating exhibitions, building partnerships, and driving the platform’s international expansion—all in the midst of a rapidly evolving art market. Every day feels like a race against time, with no room for slowing down. Switching between my creative work and platform management often makes me feel like I’m living two lives at once.

There are days when it feels like I’m walking a tightrope, trying to keep the purity and depth of my art intact while constantly wrestling with the pressures of reality. The back-and-forth between creation and management can be exhausting, but it’s an inescapable part of this journey. I have to make sure my art continues to evolve without losing its essence, while also ensuring that the platform stands strong in an increasingly competitive art world.

But instead of being overwhelmed, this challenge has fueled my resilience. Every tough decision, every leap between creation and management, has made me more adaptable, more strategic. I’ve learned how to optimize my time without compromising the integrity of my art, and how to find balance in a conflict that at first seemed impossible to reconcile.

This isn’t just a challenge—it’s another part of my artistic journey, another way for me to keep performing, keep evolving.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://mzhou150.wixsite.com/mengruzhou-1
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mengruzhou_art

Image Credits

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