Dashen Zhang (b. 2002) lives and works between Macau and Jinan, China. He is currently a PhD candidate and Teaching Assistant in the Department of Arts at the University of Macau, and holds an MA in Photography from the Royal College of Art.
His work continuously explores the ontology and history of photography, using images as his primary medium while simultaneously investigating photography as a subject, connecting historical narratives and personal emotions.
dashenzhang02@outlook.com
Instagram: @dashshenz
Dashen Zhang (b. 2002) lives and works between Macau and Jinan, China. He is currently a PhD candidate and Teaching Assistant in the Department of Arts at the University of Macau, and holds an MA in Photography from the Royal College of Art.
Working across photography, installation, and artist books, Dashen's practice is grounded in the fields of photographic ontology and media archaeology. His research investigates the evolution of photography as both a technical process and a conceptual framework, exploring the personal histories and emotional connections mediated through photographic technologies.
Through the combination of historical photographic processes, archival materials, speculative narratives, and contemporary imaging technologies, Dashen's work examines memory, perception, identity, metaphysics, and the ways images shape human understandings of the world. His recent major projects include A Way to Measure the Universe, Darkroom Alchemy, A Thousand Pictures From Home, and Discovery of Dragon's Vein. His artist publications include the Ghosts in the Archives trilogy, published by Unstaged (Poland).
His work has been exhibited internationally at institutions and festivals including Jimei x Arles International Photo Festival, Photo London, Offprint at TaDte Modern, Peckham24, Hypha Gallery Marble Arch, and the Pingyao International Photography Festival. Alongside his artistic practice, Zhang is actively engaged in art education and cultural production, and has collaborated with institutions including the Royal College of Art, the University for the Creative Arts, FILET Gallery, and Drappo Culture.
dashenzhang02@outlook.com
Instagram: @dashshenz
Education
Doctor of Fine Arts, University of Macau
Master of Arts, Photography, Royal College of Art
Bachelor of Arts, Photography, Communication University of China, Nanjing
Exhibition and Award-Winning
2026, Drappo Culture, ArtsLibris, MACBA, Barcelona
2026, Drappo Culture, Peckham 24, Copeland Park, London
2026, Art recidency at Xishuangbanna FOTO Festival, Xishuangbanna
2026, Digital Tundra, Henan Provencal Cultural Centre, Zhengzhou
2026, Welcome Abord, Bouncing Around, London
2026, Unstaged Journal Vol.3
2026, Ballade of the Four Seasons, Fujifilm X-Space, Nanjing
2025, JimeixArles International Photo Festival, Xiamen
2025, OffPrint Tate Modern, London
2025, PhotoLondon, presented by Hi-Noon Edition, Somerset House, London
2025, A Comment Perfect for Photo produce, GAP Gallery, Chengdu
2025, “Reinventing” The Fourth Analog Photography Art Exhibition, Xiamen
2025, 1, 2, 3, Alt! - Hypha Gallery Marble Arch, London
2024, Discovery of the Dragon's Vein, Solo Exhibition, INTER Art Center, Beijing
2024, Unbounded Group Exhibition, Three Shadows Photography Art Centre, Xiamen
2024, 798 Spring Photography Exhibition, INTER Art Center, Beijing
2023, Xishuangbanna FOTO Festival, Xishuangbanna
2023, The 10th Dali International Photography Exhibition, Dali
2023, "Jiangning Wanderings" Photo Exhibition, Nanjing
2023, Canada China International Film Festival, Beijing/Montreal
2023, Nanjing Yuhua Shimao "Lotus" Commercial Exhibition, Nanjing
2023, The First Summer Light International Youth Photography Exhibition, Nanjing
2022, The National Youth Cup Art Design Competition
2022, "From Minsk to Beijing" International Youth Image Exhibition, Западный ресторан Минск
2022, The 22nd Pingyao International Photography Exhibition, Pingyao
2022, The 17th Chinese Huangshan (Yi County) Rural Photography Exhibition, Huangshan