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

Hi Shanshan, why did you decide to pursue a creative path?
I was heavily influenced by retro 1990s Mandarin culture including music, literature, film, etc. However, growing up in a modern era in an international school, the nostalgic and tender pace of the last century seemed to be an oddity. The clash between culture of the old times and the new-form education I received needed a balance in me, which is why I started creating art pieces that have an eerie, indecipherable visual style, but always talk about the most iconic topics of love and company.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
My art pieces are always based on a narrative, whether based on real life or completely fictional. I often weave those stories of nostalgia and romance into eerie, extraterrestrial visuals to create art that is familiar yet alien to audiences.

I went to an art college, but during my school time I was never quite sure how to balance out personal expression and commerciality. It wasn’t until I graduated and started working on commercial projects that I realized the importance of self in creation. Not everyone can understand your story, but those that do are the ones that will truly distinguish and cherish your work.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I’m a fan of mandarin pop music, so any friend visiting should definitely come to a Chinese karaoke with me. We’d have the best time there!

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I’d of course dedicate my shoutout to my parents who supported me, both financially and mentally, on my path pursuing art and self expression. That being said, my art has always been inspired by music, especially musicians from the 1990s mandarin pop world. Those singers and song-writers, who are not as popular nowadays, are the ones that fostered my creation, and I want to preserve and spread their creation through mine again.

Website: www.shanshanw.art

Instagram: avocado.magic

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