ZHENG LU China , 1978

ZHENG LU: CAPTURING WATER IN METAL

Zheng Lu  is a Beijing-based artist known for his sculptures that look like splashes of water frozen in midair. Though made of stainless steel, his works feel fluid and full of movement, inspired by the energy (qi) of the universe.

His large sculptures can be found in public spaces around the world. In October 2023, a 20-foot-tall piece called Undercurrent was installed near the United Nations in New York. Another major work was placed in a luxury residential plaza in Jersey Island. He is currently working on a large outdoor sculpture for Elanco Corporation in Indiana.

Zheng’s art is deeply influenced by traditional Chinese philosophy and calligraphy, an art he learned growing up in a literary family. Many of his stainless-steel sculptures are shaped from thousands of Chinese characters, taken from historic texts and poems.

Recently, he has continued to explore the theme of water, which has long fascinated him. In Chinese philosophy, water symbolizes change, self-reflection, and time. Zheng sees it as both a physical and spiritual element, always shifting and adapting.

Zheng studied sculpture at Lu Xun Fine Art Academy in Shenyang and later completed a Master of Fine Arts at the Central Academy of Fine Art in Beijing. He also spent time studying at École Nationale Supérieure des Beaux-Arts in Paris.