Serena Zena
February 10th – 26th, 2025
We’re thrilled to present Resonance of the Roots, a cumulative exhibition from our 2024/25 Technical Resident, Serena Zena!
Resonance of the Roots is an exploration of Eco- and Asian- futurisms by emerging artist Serena Zena. Through a hybrid of traditional and digital media, Zena creates an immersive environment that reimagines cultural narratives and ecological futures. The exhibition synthesizes large-scale fabric works, intricate ceramics, and XR technologies such as 3D rendering and projection in evocative installation. This exhibition invites viewers to reflect on the intersection of ecology and technology, offering a glimpse into imagined worlds that blend the organic with the digital.
Drawing references from historical Chinese landscapes, solarpunk ideals, and the symbolism of the lotus root, Zena envisions a world where past, present, and future converge. Alien plants, towering mountains, and mutated life forms inhabit the space. Inspired by the animations of Hayao Miyazaki, the illustrative works of Tony DiTerlizzi and Albertus Seba, and musical works by Tomáš Dvořák, Zena creates a world that sits somewhere between our history, future, and another planet all together.
About the Artist
Serena Zena (she/her) is an emerging artist and curator based in Canada. Her multidisciplinary practice delves into the lived experiences and cultural narratives of the Asian diaspora. Central to her work are themes of Eco- and Asian- futurism. Her practice blends the tangible and the intangible, ranging from textiles to extended-reality. Her work is known for its bold use of color and texture, often drawing on organic forms.
About the Residency
Our Technical Residency program provides artists at any level in their career in-kind access to all of FMC’s gear, studios, and editing facilities for up to six months. This is an opportunity for artists who have a defined vision for a project or are working towards an exhibition to utilize the space and resources at FMC.
About Factory Media Centre
Factory Media Centre is Hamilton’s not-for-profit artist-driven resource centre for film, video, new media, installation, sound art, and other multimedia art forms. Our mission is to develop and support a vibrant, sustainable, creative, and diverse community of Members and non-Members within Hamilton and its surrounding region.