Chinese American artist Rachel Zhang, based in Brooklyn, NY, delves into the absurdities and anxieties surrounding personal autonomy and systems of power. Through surrealist figurative scenes, Zhang explores the evolving beliefs that structure social hierarchies and manifestations of control. Her oil paintings often depict figures in conflict or metamorpho- sis, men turn into bowling pins and commuters morph into cogs on wheels. Zhang’s work reflects her nuanced perspective on visibility, other- ness, and the complexities of identity in relation to her cultural heritage and societal expectations. Everyday public spaces - gym changing rooms, dive bars and gas stations become sources for her surrealist characters to come alive. She draws from personal and collective histories, including the intersection of Asian American experiences, family narratives during 20th-century China, and broader histories of women’s roles.