O Zhang is a young photographer whose compelling work examines issues of identity and transformation in contemporary China. Horizon No. 24 is from a major work where she returned to the rural context of her youth, documenting young female subjects posed before the camera for the first time. Pictured individually, their unconventional stance differs from popular media representations of young girls. The subjects return the viewer’s gaze directly—unabashed, bold and powerful—while the vibrant colour of the blue sky behind signals hope and possibility. This image, and the other works in this series, reflects a positive vision of the future of China as a powerful force in a new global economy and in particular the role that women might play in its transformation, something evident in the role of the artist herself.
In her exhibition titled Horizon, O Zhang reminds us that the girls who are born and raised in rural China constitute one of the weaker portions within society, while asserting the belief that these girls will play major roles in the future of the country. Even though the crouching position might suggest some sort of vulnerability, it actually represents the metaphor of the "crouching tiger" in the Chinese culture, which represents the tiger that is regianing its strenght and getting ready to attack - a position that is actually intimidating. The artist identifies with these girls, while referring to the switly shifting equilibria. The horizon line that advances throughout the photographs alludes to the upcoming rise that is depicted in the pictures.
This catalogue has been published fot the exhibition titled "Horizon" held at Dirimart from April 29th to May 30th, 2010.
48 pp, color photos, pb, in Turkish-English bilingual.