Eilo Zou
Eilo Zou's work series "A Black River Disappears Me" delves into the fragility and destructive potential of the human psyche through an intensely personal and egoistic fantasy. His pieces, primarily created from materials such as asphalt, iron, wood, and waste, are imbued with a visceral, sensory quality that engages directly with the viewer.

The inspiration for this series stemmed from a line Eilo wrote in early 2023: "a black river disappears me." This phrase initiated a vision of a thick, black substance that consumes everything in an instant. Initially, Eilo attempted to manifest this fantasy using digital tools, but the result did not align with his vision, prompting him to seek a physical material to materialize this concept. Asphalt, with its sticky, malleable nature, became the core material in his exploration.

Influenced by Linda Benglis' early works with polyurethane, Eilo began experimenting with asphalt and other materials, such as polyurethane foam, iron, wood, and found objects. His sculptures and installations are dynamic, constructed from interdependent elements that seem to strain against their limitations. This process of creation mirrors a continuous state of breakdown, evoking the tension between the creation of form and the inevitable decay of matter.

Eilo Zou’s practice also addresses themes of disprivilege, particularly surrounding sexual orientation and trauma. Through his work, he explores vulnerability, strength, and the inherent instability of the self. The materials he chooses, with their fragility and impermanence, become metaphors for the unavoidable decay of the body and the constant reformation of identity within an ever-changing world.

Eilo Zou currently lives in London, where he is pursuing a Master’s degree in Sculpture at the Royal College of Art.