Studio shot by Cheung Chi Wai
Kelly Zou 邹筱菁
Kelly Zou is an interdisciplinary visual artist based in Edinburgh, she graduated from Edinburgh College of Art in 2021 and is an alumni of the Royal Drawing School. Her practice is rooted in drawing and painting, integrating historical research, personal memory, and cross-cultural narratives to explore the emotional landscapes of place and belonging.
Her artistic journey is a continuous exploration of her external and internal worlds. Born in China, she worked as a programmer for years before relocating to Scotland, leaving her home behind. Her works often reflect a sense of melancholy and nostalgia. Constantly drawing, painting, and writing, she uses these practices as a foundation for deeper exploration. Her paintings emerge gradually, shaped by the movement of her brush, the flow of her thoughts, and her emotions.
ART RESIDENCIES
Royal Drawing School Dumfries House Artist Residency, Jul 2025-Aug 2025
Leith School of Art Graduate Residency, Sep 2024 - Jun 2025
“Developing Brain” Exhibition Residency - Centre for Regenerative Medicine, University of
Edinburgh, Jun 2024 – Aug 2024
EDUCATION (ART)
Edinburgh College of Art, MA Illustration, Distinction, 2020-2021
Royal Drawing School, Online Drawing Development Year, Jan 2024 - Nov 2024
Year-long Painting Course in Leith School of Art, Sep 2022 - Jun 2023
RBGE Certificate in Botanical Illustration, Distinction, Jan 2022 - Aug 2022
AWARDS
Highly Commented - RBSA Watercolour Prize 2025
Runner up - The Prize Onion 2025
Finalist - 57th World Gallery of Cartoons - Skopje 2025
Finalist - Creative Edinburgh The Development Award 2024
Wilhelmina Barns-Graham Trust Travel Grant, 2024
Freelands Foundation Artists’ Bursaries, 2024-25
Visual Artist and Craft Maker Awards 2024
Merit Award - iJungle Illustration Awards 2023
Highly Commented - The FAB Prize 2023
Longlisted - World Illustration Awards AOI in New Talent and Children’s Publishing 2022
Merit Award - iJungle Graphic Design Awards 2022
Honorable Mention - 3x3 International Illustration Awards No.16
SELECTED EXHIBITIONS
RBSA Watercolour Prize Exhibition, RBSA Gallery, 2025
Liquid Identities: ESEA Multi-art Form Festival, Assembly Roxy, 2025
E.D.S Faculty Exhibition, The Torrance Gallery, 2025
"Drawing without Borders" Group exhibition, Royal Drawing School, 2025
Art Attitude: The Second Invitational Exhibition of Contemporary Chinese Art, Yibo Contemporary Gallery, 2025
End of Year Residency Exhibition, Leith School of Art, 2025
Creative Connections: A Healing Journey, Salisbury Centre, 2025
Artist residency Interim Exhibition, The Bridge Awards, Dundas St, 2025
"Silent Assembly", Artist residency exhibition, Leith School of Art, 2025
SSA 126th Annual Exhibition, The Royal Scottish Academy, 2024
Now and Then: Visual Arts Scotland Centenary Show (Part 2), Dalkeith Palace, 2024
Edinburgh Macmillan Art Show, The Cornerstone Centre, St John’s Church, 2024
Art & Science Exhibition: The Developing Brain, Inspace, 2024
"A Harmonious Place", AG Gallery Brooklyn, 2024
Creative Edinburgh × The Melting Pot Exhibition, 2024
SSA 30 x 30 Online Edition, Society of Scottish Artists, 2023
‘Helios’ Group Exhibition, Fern and Glade, 2023
Eye to Eye Group Exhibition, Out of the Blue Drill Hall, 2022
CONTACT