Unnatured by Xinshuo Zhuo

Xinshuo Zhuo is a Chinese artist, based in Naarm, Melbourne. Zhuo’s practice is grounded in the exploration of complex experiences and feelings common to those within diasporic communities, and he uses visual metaphors and symbology to explore the fluidity of emotion. Zhuo is interested in the experimental space of traditional photography, utilising alternative photographic processes to consider bodily interactions in time and space. Working exclusively with analogue photography techniques, Zhuo’s striking work centres around themes of conflict and alienation with universal resonance.

Unnatured presents an installation of silver gelatin photographic prints. These technically precise works have been deftly crafted through layered darkroom processes, printed on fibre-based paper, and toned with black tea. These subtle considerations imbue the works with a sense of time and care, and a certain warmth. Drawing on the tradition of wabi-sabi aesthetics, wherein the beauty of imperfections are celebrated, Unnatured privileges emoting, and reveals the unspoken. Poetic and visually enthralling, these works aim to evoke empathy and understanding.

Image: Xinshuo Zhuo, Unnatured, 2024. Image courtesy of the artist.

11am – 5pm Tuesday to Friday.

Closed on public and University holidays.