Interview with: Mosaz 

September 2025

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Welcome Mosaz, first tell us about your background and why you chose to pursue this career.

Do you remember the first artwork that stirred something inside you?

My name is Mosaz (Zijun Zhao). I am an artist based in New York with a background in illustration and fine art. My interest in art started in childhood when drawing became the way I connected with the world and with myself. I chose to pursue this career because creating art felt natural to me and allowed me to explore personal and cultural themes that I could not express in other ways.The first artwork that truly stirred something inside me was Leonardo da Vinci’s manuscripts. I was fascinated by the precision of his drawings and the way they combined scientific observation with artistic expression.

 

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What was your first step in becoming an artist?

I have always been fascinated by Chinese history and culture. During my early studies, I often added Chinese elements to school assignments with fixed themes, even when I could not fully express my own ideas. While drawing, I spent time reflecting on myself and listening to audiobooks on philosophy, psychology, history, and literature, which helped me realize my unique perspective on the world.I began sharing my work on social media, which led to invitations from galleries, curators, and publication platforms. For example, I received the International Prize Leonardo da Vinci and exhibited at the National Museum of Science and Technology “Leonardo da Vinci” in Milan, Italy, as well as participated in I Threw Myself In A Concrete Mixer at Gallatin Galleries in New York. These opportunities gradually opened the door for my work to be shown in exhibitions and featured in art publications around the world.

 

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What inspires you? Where do the ideas come from? How do you develop your projects?

My inspiration often comes from personal memories, cultural symbols, and the natural world. I am fascinated by how history, rituals, and human emotions can be transformed into visual narratives. Many ideas appear while I am drawing without a fixed plan. I add shapes or lines where they feel most natural, then gradually build details until the piece feels complete. Audiobooks on philosophy, psychology, and history often influence my thinking during this process, helping me connect my personal experiences with broader cultural themes.

 

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What is the meaning or creative motivation behind your work?

Almost all of my works, for example, the series A Joyful Funeral, reflect my ongoing thoughts on death, transformation, and spirituality. I am interested in how uncertainty can create space for comfort and imagination. In A Joyful Funeral, for example, I explore the idea that death does not have to be purely tragic but can be seen as a moment of choice and hope for a world shaped by personal desire. This way of thinking runs through much of my practice, where I use intricate lines and symbolic imagery to turn deeply personal emotions and cultural memories into dreamlike visual narratives.

 

 

What has been your most outstanding achievement to date?

One of my most meaningful achievements has been the opportunity to exhibit and publish my work internationally, which has allowed me to connect with audiences around the world. In recent years, I have also started serving as a juror, which has been a new and rewarding experience. I was honored to be a juror for the 6th Genoa Biennale, and this experience was featured by Art Insider in an in-depth article. Another highlight was being featured by Corriere della Sera, one of Italy’s leading newspapers, which reported on my participation in the 2024 Premio Firenze XLI Edizione. These milestones have strengthened my belief that my artistic voice can resonate across different cultural contexts while also contributing to the broader art community.

 

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Tell us a bit about the process of making your work?

I usually start by cleaning my table with alcohol and choosing a sheet of paper that feels right for the piece. I tape down the edges, then look at the size again because the tape slightly changes the dimensions. If I do not like how it feels, I start over with another sheet. After that, I begin drawing whatever fragments or shapes come to mind. I do not follow a fixed process when I start a piece. My approach is intuitive, adding lines and forms wherever they feel most natural, and gradually building details until the work feels complete.

 

 

We are at the end of this short interview. Would you like to add something about your artistic research?

How did you find the collaboration with our gallery?

These questions have already covered most aspects of my artistic practice and research. I feel they reflect my journey and creative process quite well, so I do not have much more to add. Working with Florence Contemporary Gallery has been a wonderful experience, and I truly appreciate the care you put into presenting artists and fostering meaningful connections between art and audiences.

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