1st place
gold star award
Zili Zhang
united states 
title
Four Seasons on Plates
Autumn is inspired by a Chinese saying: "so beautiful that it is also delicious." The arrangement reflects the season's beauty, paired with the idea of savoring it.
Winter features winter berries to recount the story of Noah's Ark, albeit a different version in Sting's song "Rock Steady." Read clockwise from the top left, it portrays prosperity, disaster, two survivors, and their escape from the chaos.
Spring tells a love story. The image should be read clockwise from the top left: a chance encounter, growing together, the birth of new life, and the cycle continuing as the little one grows up.
Summer uses a water lily floating in a bowl to symbolize the concepts of Nirvana and Rebirth from Buddhist teachings. It transitions from a full bloom to a baby state, then from a single petal to complete emptiness.
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entry description
This series was developed over the course of a year, with each image using seasonal plants placed on plates or bowls with chopsticks to convey a unique story or concept.Autumn is inspired by a Chinese saying: "so beautiful that it is also delicious." The arrangement reflects the season's beauty, paired with the idea of savoring it.
Winter features winter berries to recount the story of Noah's Ark, albeit a different version in Sting's song "Rock Steady." Read clockwise from the top left, it portrays prosperity, disaster, two survivors, and their escape from the chaos.
Spring tells a love story. The image should be read clockwise from the top left: a chance encounter, growing together, the birth of new life, and the cycle continuing as the little one grows up.
Summer uses a water lily floating in a bowl to symbolize the concepts of Nirvana and Rebirth from Buddhist teachings. It transitions from a full bloom to a baby state, then from a single petal to complete emptiness.
about the photographer
Zili Zhang is a fine art photographer based in Greenwich, Connecticut. He finds beauty both nearby and far in travels, seeking simplicity in nature and chaotic streets. It is his earnest wish to connect people through images the he creates. His work embodies his motto of "Simple. Beautiful. Meaningful.”back to gallery
