Zhong Lin’s Surrealist Work is Soothing & Unsettling

This week's spotlight shines on Zhong Lin, a Malaysian born and self-taught photographer. Her work has been featured in publications such as GQ, Marie Claire, I-D and Vogue. Remember Nicole Kidman’s shoot for The Perfect Magazine? Well, that’s Zhong’s work. A mixture between surreal compositions and eccentric creativeness attributed a unique and eye-catching style to her work. 

Courtesy of Zhong Lin (Nicole Kidman for the Perfect Magazine)

For most creatives the COVID-19 lockdown meant that many projects were placed on hold. So she made it her mission to keep creative and started her personal 365 challenge. Consisting of creating a new image everyday, not an easy task as creativity isn’t always oozing out of creative people's brains. A project that nonetheless caught many eyes, as she posted the results daily to her Instagram page, and quickly gained notoriety. 

What makes Zhong’s work standout are her beautifully made compositions that balance elements of eccentricness and serenity. Looking at her work can be uncomfortable but very calming all at the same time. She is a talent to watch out for as she isn’t afraid to push the boundaries and redefine what beauty through fashion and art can be. Her work plays with surreal elements that create stunningly weird, sensual and at times scary works of art. 

Courtesy of Zhong Lin for Vogue Taiwan

Her compositions are accompanied by a solid palette of primary colors, fiery reds and intense blues. Her fascination or I tongue between nature and humans comes across through every work as flowers crawl out of the subject's eyes. 

Her career is just starting and so far she is becoming one of the most outstanding photographers as she understands that fashion and art are places were experimentation is welcomed and appreciated.