Man Zhu

UnFrame: Relationship explores my own subconscious mind and intimacies using an abstract visual language based on the principles of semiotics, the analysis and interpretation of signs and symbols. Its portraits of family, friends, colleagues, and myself are made with expired films that correspond to the dates of their subjects’ birth. This concept introduces elements of distortion and chance to the images, which are then further deconstructed in a collage fashion. The often surprising, sometimes unrecognizable end result corresponds to the disconnect between expectation and reality often found in human relationships.

1967: The Year My Mom Was Born 

1964: The Year My Dad Was Born 

1994: The Year I Was Born

1967: Pianist

When We Were in Our Twenties

1994&1999: Our Portrait

1994&1999: Hold My Hand

1994&1999: Hug

1994&1999: Sparkle

1994&1999: Crisscross

1967: The Year My Mom Was Born 

1964: The Year My Dad Was Born 

1994: The Year I Was Born

1967: Pianist

When We Were in Our Twenties

1994&1999: Our Portrait

1994&1999: Hold My Hand

1994&1999: Hug

1994&1999: Sparkle

1994&1999: Crisscross