CV

张梦伊

She/Her

Nina Mengyi Zhang is a craftsperson, artist, and designer. She was born in Shenzhen, China, where, in her youth, she discovered her interest in many forms of craft. She moved to the US in 2014 to attend the School of the Art Institute of Chicago. There she fell in love with woodworking and object making while simultaneously discovering her path as an interdisciplinary designer. She explores materials and crafts with her hands and tools. She has designed and realized several pieces of furniture and other smaller projects for individual commissions since 2016.


2023-

2019

2014-2019

2018

2017

Education

Algonquin College, Ottawa, ON, CA

Advanced Diploma, Applied Museum Studies

Haystack Mountain School of Crafts, Deer Isle, ME, US

Handheld Sculptures Workshop, Julian Watts

School of the Art Institute of Chicago, Chicago, IL, US

BFA in Studio, emphasis on Sculpture, Printmaking, and Designed Objects

Haystack Mountain School of Crafts, Deer Isle, ME, US

Wood Fashioning and Sculpture Workshop, Donald Fortescue

Ox-bow School of Arts, Saugatuck, MI, US

Blacksmithing Workshop, Mike Rossi


2023-

2021- 2022

2020—2021

2019—2020

2020

2019

2015—2019

2017

2016

Professional Experience

Algonquin College, Exhibition Lab Technician/Teaching Assistant

Ottawa, ON, CA

Matrix Design, Senior Designer (Product Focused)

Shenzhen, China

Mingdu Design, Designer (Furniture Focused)

Shenzhen, China

Mara Baker Studio, Studio Assistant

Chicago, IL, US

Broken Press Design and Fabrication, Shop Assistant/Finisher

Chicago, IL, US

Woodworking, Teaching Assistant

School of the Art Institute of Chicago, Chicago, IL, US

Columbus Wood and Metal Shop, Department Assistant/Student Technician

School of the Art Institute of Chicago, Chicago, IL, US

Xizao Woodworking Studio, Intern

Shenzhen, China

Xiaoyan School of Art, Instructor (Weaving Workshop)

Shenzhen, China


2023

2021

2019

2019

2019

2016

Exhibitions

Movement, Online Exhibition

Asian Contemporary Artists Alliance

Shenzhen Creative Week 2021, Shenzhen International Exhibition Center

Shenzhen, China

Hats! Hats! Hats!, Free Range

Chicago, IL

Spring BFA Show, Sullivan Galleries

School of the Art Institute of Chicago, Chicago, IL

Access Borders, Design Society

Sea World Culture and Arts Center, Shenzhen, China

Quilt: Traditional/Not Traditional, Bertha V.B. Lederer Gallery

Geneseo, NY


Skills

Language / Software / Studio

Fluent in Mandarin Chinese and English; French (A2)

Experience with Rhino, AutoCAD, Keyshot, Sketchup

Woodworking, wood turning carving, welding, mold making, paper making, printmaking (relief, etching), bookmaking, quilt making, weaving, knitting, natural dye, stained glass techniques

For any inquiries about existing objects and commissions, please email me at

nina.mzhang10@gmail.com