Student Work & Insights

This semester was the first time I took an art class at NYUSH, and it completely changed my perspective of what art is, allowing me to deepen my understanding of how to appreciate the world through the lens of art. I had always been interested in and found joy in the visual arts but had never analyzed how and what the different formal elements of art movements throughout history reveal from their respective periods. After taking the What is Art? class, I realized the extent to which art is inextricably intertwined with the social, political, historical, and cultural realms, seeing as by the end of the semester, not only had I learned how to identify art movements/periods by their distinct characteristics but how to analyze these works and their wider implications critically. In my class, we also had the chance to produce our artwork and better understand the beauty of creating and the challenges artists face in the creation process. Overall, I am grateful to have been more formally introduced to the art world and look forward to continuing to engage with art as a viewer and artist.

Embarking on a transformative journey from the competitive realms of visual art education to the liberating fields of art therapy, I find myself at a pivotal crossroads. As a Social Science major specializing in Psychology at NYU Shanghai, my six-year odyssey through the rigorous and often stifling environments of high school and college art examinations has profoundly shaped my perspective. Witnessing the toll a singular focus on standards and ratings took on the mental and physical well-being of peers and mentors alike, I became acutely aware of the need for a more compassionate approach to art education.

My choice to continue my artistic journey at NYU Shanghai is not just a pursuit of education; it's a quest for understanding, healing, and the reimagining of art as a tool for emotional and psychological liberation. Within the nurturing confines of our art studio, I aspire to delve deeper into the therapeutic potential of art. The studio, an exclusive haven, offers a sanctuary of safety and exploration. Under the guidance of the avant-garde and open-minded instructor Maya Kramer, I am encouraged to intertwine personal experiences with artistic expression, fostering a unique style that transcends traditional boundaries.

Taking Foundations in Painting: Painting in Practice and Theory was an eye-opening journey into the world of visual arts. It enriched my life by introducing me to an art form that transcends words and music. The course balanced hands-on practice with in-depth theoretical learning, grounding us in essential painting techniques while providing insights into the historical and cultural significance of the art. It really deepened my understanding of painting as a profound and powerful means of expression and cultural dialogue. 

Taking art classes at NYU Shanghai helped me discover a creative side which I was unaware of before. It pushed me to engage with my inner thoughts and bring them to life through a variety of mediums. It made me appreciate details and notice otherwise overlooked forms, objects and textures. At first it was hard to fill a blank page, but with time I learned how to find inspiration in my surroundings as well as within my personal experiences. Since then, art has guided and enriched my understanding of the world around me. The skills and knowledge acquired through these classes sparked an interest in the history of art, driving me to visit a number of museums and galleries. While my degree in philosophy didn’t heavily rely on creativity, I was able to utilize my newly found skills for problem solving as well as day-to-day object and color arrangements.

The arts has offered me a medium to reconcile with and partake in activism in a reflexive manner. Within the political context I grew up in, I have long felt inadequate when it came to the language of resistance and protest.  As I learned to make art at NYU Shanghai, however, I began to identify with an activist expression that is personal as much as collective, vulnerable as much as radical. In producing art, therefore, I am committing to an activism whose implications could be troubled and muddled time and again.

I have always been interested and engaged in the arts, so I entered NYU Shanghai as an Interactive Media Arts major. However, the Visual Arts program introduced me to a whole new realm of art studies. My interdisciplinary experience in both the IMA and Visual Arts curricula bolstered my experience at NYUSH through academic research to hands-on studio time. From meaningful discussion to individualized praxis, the Visual Arts program has given me the knowledge and experience to further my career in the art industry. The most invaluable part of the Visual Arts program at NYUSH was that not only did my professors teach me the important foundations of various art practices, but also that the courses were taught in a global context. I was exposed to an incredible wealth of resources inside and outside of Shanghai, such as artist talks and gallery visits. I now have a broader perspective on art and the world - which has motivated me to continue to learn and grow as an artist.