Si F Sweetman

The nature of the internet is so strange. Social media websites that slowly transform into digital abandoned spaces as their owners leave, or move on or die. Sometimes someone you have an entirely parasocial relationship to vanishes and you will never get an answer as to where they went, or what they're doing or if they are even alive. Sometimes that person is one of your favourite working artists and they vanish in the midst of global pandemic. I'd love to share Amei Zhao's remarkable work with you.
drifting, Amei Zhao, 2019
Zhao's work I often identify with pastel hues with a very narrow range of tone. Converted to black and white it may be unreadable but with an impressionistic approach that fills her work with light and makes everything feel like a half-remembered dream you have warm feelings of. Sunday Enchantment, Amei Zhao, 2018 Zhao was someone you could tell loved the ocean. She swam in it often, if her socials were anything to go by. Videos she's taken from underwater as yellowtail mackerel schools swim by translated directly into this piece.
Nameless, Amei Zhao, 2018
"Almost made it to the end of 2018. A few weeks ago I went swimming in the ocean as usual, but the waters were rough and my body was smashed into the rocks. It could have gone badly had a friend not pulled me out onto the steps. I’ve recovered. Being alive is good."
- Amei Zhao, December 31, 2018
Tide, Amei Zhao, 2020
Her last post was on October 1st, 2020. Maybe nothing happened. There are lots of reasons to stop posting on social media. I won't know.
Look at how masterfully she manages to carve motion into water. The curtain of surf pouring over the concrete embankment the stairs traverse. Just water can be so captivating. One day I hope I can make such good dimensionality and texture look so effortless. Second Day of Spring, Amei Zhao, 2020
This was among the last things posted. I missed my chance to ever buy her book. I waffled. I thought there would be a second printing some time when I would have the money to burn on one more art book.
Everything glows. I love the sense of radiance Zhao's work has. It is about to be eaten in the most intense white light. We are at the point just before everything fades when all the colours become their most brilliant selves.