I love the creative process most when it is within certain constraints, I find reinterpreting my existing passions most liberating and enjoyable. Zhang Yun Wonderfactory Artist, Beijing, China Zhang Yun (b.1986) was born in Beijing during the rapid opening up of the Chinese society right after the devastation of the Cultural Revolution, and was part of the generation exposed to vast amounts of pop culture from the Japanese and Americans as children, as the Chinese state tried to catch up with knowledge of the world. Zhang Yun remembers fondly his first Disney animated movie ‘The Lion King’ and still regards it as his favourite movie of all time, followed by the Star Wars saga.

With a mother who worked as a machine designer in a state factory, Zhang Yun spent a lot of his childhood in the company of draftsmen and engineers, and had an abundance of drawing pens and paper with which he exercised his imagination and creativity, and developed his skills as an illustrator.

Zhang Yun went on to become an architect in Beijing, working for a renowned architectural firm, and worked on many projects that are landmarks of their neighbourhoods, before quitting it to dedicate his time to developing as an artist.

With his passion for drawing out details of his imagination, Zhang Yun’s penchant for rich and exquisite details provides for very interesting observation, and therefore makes for good centrepieces in any collection.