Talentspotter

By Cathy Fan

Shiwen Wang finds inspiration right before nightfall, in twilight, a liminal time she sees as a moment of convergence between human and non-human life. Through her exploration of light, Wang creates abstract compositions that reflect on impermanence and the interconnectedness of humanity and the natural world, a relationship she describes as “the unity of cosmic life.” Her work transforms commonplace subjects like fish, decomposing leaves, and boat wreckage into unfamiliar, poetic forms, capturing cycles of decay and rebirth. Her dynamic paintings blend natural and artificial light via earth-toned and aquatic palettes with textured layers of oil, pigment, beeswax, and egg tempera evoking an aged patina. Her intuitive approach reflects a deep engagement with color and materiality.

A graduate of the Royal College of Art in London, the School of the Art Institute of Chicago, and the Shanghai Institute of Visual Art, Wang has exhibited internationally, including at ADZ Gallery in Lisbon, Issuing Gallery in Shenzhen, and Millennium Gallery in London.