Adam Shiu-Yang Shaw

Adam Shiu-Yang Shaw is renowned for his expertise in sculpture and installation art. With a diverse artistic practice, he explores these mediums to create captivating experiences for his audience.

Biography of Adam Shiu-Yang Shaw

Adam Shiu-Yang Shaw was born in 1987. He has pursued an extensive educational journey, acquiring a diverse range of artistic skills and knowledge. His educational background includes:

• 2008-2013: Bachelor of Fine Arts, Emily Carr University, Vancouver;
• 2015: Master of Fine Arts (guest student), Piet Zwart Institute, Rotterdam;
• 2014-2016: Master of Fine Arts, Royal Institute of Art, Stockholm;
• 2020-2021: BPA// Berlin program for artists, Berlin.

Adam Shiu-Yang Shaw's artistic talents and unique vision have been showcased through both solo and group exhibitions. Some notable shows that have featured his work include: Towards, Toronto (upcoming) (2023); Neither Parts, Nor Spares, BPA// Raum, Berlin (2022); What Time Has Left, Wschód, Warsaw (2021); LISTE BASEL with Wschód, duo show with Anders Dickson, Basel (2021); Memory Loss – Drakken II, Coyote, Stockholm (2020), etc.

Adam Shiu-Yang Shaw's artistic achievements have been recognized through several prestigious awards and stipends: Neustart Kultur – Stiftung Kunstfonds, Bonn (2022), Research and Creation, Canada Council for the Arts, Ottawa (2021), Recherchestipendium Bildende Kunst, Berlin (2021), Ars Viva – Shortlist Nominee, Berlin (2021), Neustart Kultur – Stiftung Kunstfonds, Bonn (2021), Production grant, Embassy of Canada, Berlin; Nordic Culture Point, Helsinki (2018), Stig Hedbergs Stipendiefond, Stockholm; Eva & Hugo Bergmans Fond, Stockholm (2016).

Currently, the artist lives and works in Berlin, Germany, and Edmonton, Canada.

Adam Shiu-Yang Shaw's Art Style

Adam Shiu-Yang Shaw's art practice delves into the intersection of urban and natural environments, where suburban landscapes meet the remnants of nature. In these spaces, characterized by the accumulation of materials such as waste containers and warehouses for recycled matter, Shaw finds inspiration for his work.

Drawing from his extensive collection of photographs and archival materials, Shaw constructs bricolage artworks. Each piece is a meticulous assemblage, crafted to reimagine urban spaces and their intricate connections.

In his solo exhibition "What time has left," at Galeria Wschód in Warsaw (2021-2022), Shaw presented two notable works, "City assembly" and "An interval between events" (both created in 2021). These docile yet robust monuments, constructed from wood and glass, emanate an ethereal glow from their internal illumination, captivating viewers with their electric aura.

The dreamlike quality of Shaw's artworks is enhanced by his skillful manipulation of scale. Some pieces resemble meticulously crafted architectural models, while others exude the grandeur of theatrical scenography. The sculptures can be likened to stage sets or props, closing off a hidden backstage world.

Shaw deliberately embraces a rapid transition between diverse references in his work. By playing with signifiers and exploring the potential of objects to create polyphonic narratives, he invites viewers to delve into a multi-layered visual experience. This intentional juxtaposition of elements allows for a rich exploration of the complex relationships between objects, spaces, and narratives within Shaw's art practice.