Julian Zhang
The Beauty We Build
My body of work explores my passion for cars through an investigation of their beauty, design, function, speed, glamour and collectability. Through sustained artmaking practice, I use pencil drawing and lino printing to investigate how the visual qualities of cars can be represented and transformed through different material practices. Pencil allows me to explore precision, tonal variation, line and surface detail, emphasising the refined design and aesthetic qualities of each vehicle. In contrast, lino printing allows me to simplify and reinterpret these forms through bold line, contrast, texture and graphic composition. My artmaking practice functions as a process of research and inquiry, enabling me to develop and refine ideas through experimentation with materials and visual language. By focusing on distinctive forms, details and characteristics, I communicate the individuality and cultural significance of cars. The body of work ultimately reflects my personal connection to cars while demonstrating conceptual strength, material understanding and resolved meaning through representation.