Meet Shan Deng | Fiber/Sculpture Artist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Shan Deng and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Shan, what do you attribute your success to?
1. Perseverance
Perseverance is the most powerful skill when it comes to learning any new ability. As an interdisciplinary artist, I frequently encounter new materials and tools. Often, the toughest moments occur when starting something new. At these times, perseverance becomes my most effective method for mastering a technique or tool. The source of perseverance is not found in comparing oneself with others, but rather in comparing oneself with one’s past self. By striving to do a bit better each time, you will eventually reach your ultimate goal.

2. Observations
Observation is one of the most important traits of an artist, characterized by a unique insight that sets them apart from others. The way one perceives the world often becomes a source of inspiration. By paying attention to every moment and every second around us, and experiencing each event with both mind and body, we gain the strength to avoid falling into a world of nihilism. Insight is about seeing the big picture through the small details.

3. Sympathy
Sympathy is crucial for artists as it fosters a deep, emotional connection with their audience and enhances the authenticity of their work. By empathizing with the feelings and experiences of others, artists can create pieces that resonate more powerfully and universally. This ability to perceive and convey the emotional states of others allows artists to tell more compelling stories, evoke stronger reactions, and bridge diverse experiences, making their work not only a reflection of personal vision but also a mirror to the human condition. Thus, sympathy is not just a tool for artistic expression—it’s an essential element that infuses art with humanity and relevance.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
Artist statement: My creative practice is an ongoing dialogue with the materials I work with. The discoveries of uncertainties and unpredictabilities emerge from the exploration of materiality, serving as the foundation of my artistic process. This dialogue is not about control; rather, it is about surrender. Learning to surrender to the inherent characteristics of materials is, to me, the essence of craftsmanship. Surrender establishes our collaboration. Surrender makes the uncrossable terrain navigable. Through this surrender, I’ve uncovered a language with materials, acting as a vessel to express my intimate connection to the world. It enables me to transcend the limitations of time and space, transforming this experience into more than a collaboration with materials—it becomes a collaboration with the world.
In my sculptural works, I visualize this dialogue by physically and philosophically situating the body in proximity to the text. The deliberate illegibility of the text creates abstraction and boundaries, allowing vulnerabilities to thrive. My relationship with material is reciprocal—by connecting with materiality and setting these boundaries, I offer a piece of myself to my work, and in return, I receive myself from it.

Bio:
Shan Deng’s artistic practice serves as a visual dialogue with materiality, a reflection of her intimate connection to the world. Her perspective on materiality is shaped by accidents and unpredictable interactions with various mediums, forming a unique language and vessel for her conscious and unconscious expression. Her work takes form in installation, physical, and virtual sculpture. Born and raised in Shanxi, China, Deng’s artistic journey commenced at the age of three with her introduction to the first art form, Chinese calligraphy. She currently completed her BFA in Fiber with a minor in Graphic Design at the Maryland Institute College of Art. Recent research has been completed at the Hopkins Extreme Materials Institute with Dr. Tyrel McQueen at John Hopkins University, and an upcoming art walk gala at Maryland Institute College of Art.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Day 1: Museum day, Walter Museum, Baltimore Museum of Art
Day 2: Inner Harbor, boat ride, crab cake!
Day 3: National Aquarium, Federal Hill
Day 4: Food market, bars

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
My biggest source of getting resilience is always from my family, especially my mother. She has endured many heartbreaking experiences in her life, however, during her lowest moments, she chose to uplift and cherish herself by engaging in learning and exercise to relieve stress. She has always been incredibly serious about learning, and made good use of every bit of spare time, whether it’s a break at work, after dinner, or while waiting during a trip. She’s often seen holding a book, about life, economics, and most frequently about traditional Chinese medicine, her own field of expertise. Her approach to learning is meticulous. Seeing her repeatedly consult the same medical book, annotating and using various colored markers to make notes, truly inspires me. At her age, to maintain such a dedication to learning puts my twenty-year-old self to shame. She taught me about self-love and perseverance through her actions. An old Chinese saying describes her exactly: While women are vulnerable, the mother is strong.

Website: https://shan-deng.com

Instagram: daily_capsul3

Image Credits
photos by Lianghong Ke