Meet Huiyue (ada) Zhang

We recently connected with Huiyue (ada) Zhang and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Huiyue (Ada), appreciate you sitting with us today to share your wisdom with our readers. So, let’s start with resilience – where do you get your resilience from?

My resilience comes from learning to let go of control and embrace the unexpected—something I’ve picked up both in my art and in life. It really started with watching my younger siblings back home. They approach the world so fearlessly, and I’ve always admired that about them. Their toys are scattered everywhere, crayons are picked up and abandoned for something new, and they create without hesitation. I’ve watched them stack blocks, paint, or draw, only to knock everything down and start over without a second thought. That joy and freedom in their process stuck with me—it’s never about the result for them, it’s about exploring and being curious.

But I haven’t always had that kind of freedom. For a long time, my art was about control—trying to make everything look “right.” I’d stay up late reworking pieces, erasing marks, or even scrapping ideas because they didn’t match the picture in my head. That need for perfection made me hesitant and drained the joy out of creating. It was like every mark carried this weight that didn’t allow room for mistakes or growth.

The turning point came when I started using unprimed canvases. They’re unpredictable—paint soaks in differently, drips form in unexpected ways, and nothing feels polished or controlled. At first, I hated that. But over time, I started to see the beauty in the imperfections. Those drips and textures started to feel alive, like they were part of a conversation between the materials and me. I realized those imperfections weren’t flaws—they were the story, proof of the process and the rawness of creating something honest.

This has changed how I see resilience. It’s not about being unshaken or in control all the time—it’s about adapting. Whether it’s an unexpected mark on a canvas or a challenge in life, resilience is about showing up, trusting the process, and embracing imperfections. I’ve learned that even when things don’t go the way I plan, there’s still value in the experience. Every mistake or misstep can grow into something meaningful if you give it time and space to evolve.

This mindset has shaped how I handle challenges in general. There are still moments where I feel lost or unsure, but I’ve learned to see those moments as part of the process—just like those unexpected marks on my canvas. They aren’t failures; they’re opportunities to learn, adapt, and keep moving forward.

Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?

I’m Huiyue Zhang, also known as Ada. I’m currently in the final year of my MFA at the Slade School of Fine Art, UCL, after completing my BA at Central Saint Martins, UAL. My artistic practice focuses on themes of play, process, and nostalgia. I work with materials like unprimed canvas, acrylics, gouache, and air-dry clay, creating pieces that embrace imperfection and spontaneity.

Drawing inspiration from personal experiences, such as the joy and curiosity I observe in my younger siblings, my practice explores vulnerability and materiality. I celebrate the unpredictable and raw qualities that emerge during the creative process, seeing imperfections not as flaws but as integral parts of the story my work tells.

Looking ahead, I’m excited to delve deeper into tactile and sculptural elements, pushing my practice into new territories. I look forward to sharing this evolving journey through my upcoming degree show.

If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?

I think adaptability, emotional awareness, and openness to experimentation have been the most impactful for me.

Adaptability: Learning to adapt—to materials, to situations—has been a big part of my journey. Whether it’s working with unpredictable surfaces like unprimed canvases or facing unexpected challenges in life, I’ve come to see change as an opportunity to grow rather than something to fear.

Emotional Awareness: Connecting with my emotions has shaped how I create. My work often draws from personal experiences, like watching my younger siblings play and explore the world with curiosity and joy. That emotional connection makes my art feel more honest, and it’s taught me that vulnerability can be a strength.

Openness to Experimentation: Trying new things has pushed my practice forward. Incorporating air-dry clay or letting go of perfectionism were big steps for me, and they’ve shown me the value of taking risks. Even when things don’t work out, those experiments shape my voice as an artist and open up new possibilities.

For anyone starting out, I’d say this: don’t feel like you need to have everything figured out—none of us really do. Take your time to explore, make mistakes, and learn from them. Surround yourself with people who inspire and support you, but also challenge you to grow. Stay curious—ask questions, try new things, and push yourself outside your comfort zone. Growth happens when you embrace the uncertainty. Trust yourself and the process.

How would you spend the next decade if you somehow knew that it was your last?

Right now, the biggest challenge I’m facing is navigating the uncertainty of what comes next. I’m in the final year of my MFA, and while it’s been such a transformative experience, the future feels wide open and that’s both exciting and unsettling.

One of the biggest questions for me is where I’ll be. I’m not sure if I’ll stay in London, which has been such a hub of inspiration and opportunity, or if I’ll move somewhere else—back home, maybe, or to a completely new place. It’s hard to know what environment will feel right or what will give me the space to grow both as a person and professionally. Right now, it all feels a bit vague.

There’s also this underlying pressure to figure out the ‘next step’ whether it’s starting a residency, finding a studio, or pursuing something entirely unexpected.

Contact Info:

• Other: email: ada.zhanghuiyue@gmail.com