Art as the Pulse of Economics – Elise Zhang
March 1 – April 12
Cushman Gallery for Young Artists
Elise Zhang, a junior in high school from Houston, TX, has been captivated by the visual arts since she was young, often found with her face pressed against museum exhibitions. Initially working in mixed media and traditional painting, she has recently taken a focus in 3D sculptural arts, particularly ceramics and fashion. Alongside her artistic endeavors, Elise explores the intersection between art and economics, researching how the art industry drives economic development in emerging nations and shapes global trade. Her work includes a TEDx talk and an award-winning article on the dual economic impacts of fast fashion.
This exhibition, Art as the Pulse of Economics, explores the connection between art and economics, illustrating how creative expression both influences and responds to economic systems. This collection examines the patterns that link labor dynamics, cultural shifts, resilience, and value through a visual language. Key works in the collection illuminate these connections. A Whispered Bond captures the resilience and endurance behind South Asian labor practices, tracing their influence on global production and cultural exchange. Echo portrays art’s ability to influence economies through trickle-up and trickle-down dynamics. Golden Lilies and Golden Lotuses critique the commodification of beauty, drawing attention to the human stories behind economic forces. Unbowed investigates women’s fashion as a site of resistance and reinvention — trends that reflect both the state of the economy and shape the economy. Other works, such as the Earthen Flow, investigate the tension between preserving cultural traditions and adapting to global market demands. This exhibition invites viewers to see economics not just as markets and transactions, but as a mindset and cultural framework. By connecting the tangible and intangible, Art as the Pulse of Economics redefines the boundaries between art and economics, inspiring reflection on the cycles of creation, adaptation, and resilience that define both.