Alex Zhang: A to Z Artist

Despite the many talented artists at Exeter, senior Alex Zhang still manages to stand out. Among teachers and peers, his work as a writer and photographer is met with high praise. One might recognize some of his signature pieces displayed around campus in the pages of artistic publications or on the walls of Agora.

English instructor Todd Hearon admires Zhang’s style and work ethic, both of which were evident when Hearon taught him in his poetry class this fall. “He is an independent and voracious reader, with a prehensile and elastic writerly imagination. These qualities translate into a poetry that is formally rich and varied, always stretching its contours and surprising in vivid ways,” Hearon said.

Zhang’s ability to reflect on his memories and experiences also shines through his photography. His contemporary work is described as “professional” by his current Art 999 teacher, Tara Misenheimer. “Alex is uniquely driven to create top quality work with a contemporary flavor,” she said.

Zhang’s interest in photography began in middle school when he took an introductory photography class. To further develop his skills, Zhang took Photography I during his lower year. According to Zhang, the course expanded his enthusiasm. “I learned more than I could’ve imagined. I learned about lighting, angles and what makes a good photo visually appealing,” he said.

The summer before his upper year, Zhang took a summer course on photography and came to Exeter in the fall with a further heightened enthusiasm for the art. “Then, I started doing shoots of students regularly on the weekends, and that’s how I really got into it,” he said.

This past fall, Zhang took the Art 444 course. His project stemmed from his idea to take 2-D photography to a new level. Zhang’s final product was a collection of portraits of students posing with large, painted-on plexiglass. Zhang expressed his gratitude for the opportunity to create his project. “It was amazing to have such a massive piece of plexiglass, and though dragging it into the woods was difficult, it was all worth it. The final products were almost surreal,” Zhang said.

He continued, emphasizing the change that Art 444 sparked in his photography. “Before, my shots were primarily studio photography, but in 444, I felt like a real artist because my photography had something special to it.”

The “something special” rings not only in his photography, but also in his personality as an artist. Peers praised Zhang’s ability to critique and expand their ideas. Upper Ally Grounds, who has worked with Zhang through a large part of his artistic career, praised his collaboration. “Alex is the first person I ask to help me with my painting concepts. He photographs the subject I give him, and helps me create the vision I see in my mind. I always ask his advice on my work, because he is brutally honest yet very helpful,” she said. Zhang contributes his artist’s eye not only wholeheartedly to his own projects, but as Grounds commented, to those around him too.

Similarly, upper Carissa Chen, editors-and-chief of Pendulum, remarked that “he’s extremely helpful and willing to review a friend’s work and his comments are both really honest and insightful.”

Zhang’s work as a writer is highlighted both in and outside of the classroom. In the classroom, he has proved to be a hardworking and driven student. Outside of the classroom, he is co-editor and chief of Pendulum, the literary and arts magazine on campus and co-head of Word, the spoken word club on campus.

His work has not only been recognized on Exeter’s campus, but also in competitions around the world. This past fall, Zhang was commended as a Foyle Young Poet, an esteemed title organized by The Poetry Society in Britain. Additionally, Sierra Nevada College awarded Zhang as the nation’s first place high school poet of 2015 for his piece, “The White (The Ways We Age).”

Zhang contributes much of his success to the opportunities the Academy has provided him with. This summer, he had the opportunity to participate in the Exeter internship for the Academy of American Poets. During Thanksgiving break this fall, he attended the Stanford Art Program trip to New York City. According to Zhang his internship, aided by the art trip, showed him that life as an artist is possible and achievable in the real world.

Faculty and students alike are anxious to see more of his work at the end of this term with his 999 photography project. Additionally, in the spring, Zhang hopes to pursue a senior project focused on poetry.

There is no doubt within several years, Alex’s work either as a photographer, poet or artist will find great success and be adored by many. According to the successful artists he has worked with his artwork will thrive in the real world. “The images that he made for fall term Art 444 could be exhibited in New York City, they are that sophisticated and unique,” photography instructor Steve Lewis said.

Misenheimer wholeheartedly agreed with Lewis. “His work could be in magazines tomorrow,” she said.