Robert Zhao Renhui
Singapore-based artist Robert Zhao Renhui (b. 1983, Singapore) is the Fall 2014 artist-in-residence in San Francisco. Robert Zhao investigates the relationship between man and nature, evaluating humans relationship with their environment, and revealing a delicate balance between the two. He often portrays nature as an unpredictable and mysterious force and works to illustrate an innate curiosity humans have about their own environment. Working primarily with photography, the artist adopts a multidisciplinary approach by presenting images and videos together with documents and objects. Zhao closely tied much of his work to a fictitious research organization called the Institute of Critical Zoologists (ICZ). ICZ aims to develop a critical approach to the zoological gaze, i.e., how people view animals. Since 2009, Zhao has also been affiliated with The Land Archive (TLA), an organization revealing man’s impact on his natural environment from an artist’s perspective, focusing on the history and changes of the landscape of Singapore. Zhao received his Bachelor of Arts in Photography from Camberwell College of Arts in London. He was awarded a Master of Arts in Photography from London College of Communication. Robert Zhao has exhibited his work both locally and internationally in solo and group exhibitions. Recent work was included in exhibitions at the International Festival of Photography at Mineiro Museum (Brazil, 2014) the Singapore Biennale (2013), the Centre for Contemporary Art, Singapore (2013), Format Festival (Derby, UK, 2013), Lianzhou International Photo Festival (China, 2013), GoEun Museum of Photography (Busan, Korea, 2013), Zabludowicz Collection (London, 2012), Shanghart (Shanghai, 2012), and PPOW (New York, 2012).