Breathing life into silent suffering

Art with purpose

Sha's passion for social issues was sparked by a quote from her favorite Chinese artist, Xu Bing: "You live where you live, and you face the problems there. Where there are problems, there is art."

"Using my own life as a starting point to explore broader societal themes — that, to me, is a powerful way to make art," she said.

At the exhibition, Sha noticed that viewers responded in various ways: some focused on the installation itself, others saw family, and some found reflections of themselves.

"Each person's honest reaction adds a new layer of meaning to the piece," Sha said.

Some initially found it difficult to fully understand the installation. But Sha saw this ambiguity as an essential part of its appeal. "That's where the connection begins," Sha explained. "I didn't want the piece to explain everything at once. I want people to bring their own emotions and experiences into the space — not just absorb mine."

This fall, she will begin a master's degree in social innovation and sustainable futures at the University of the Arts London. She hopes to continue using art to engage with social issues and explore new possibilities.

"I'm not interested in making art that only inspires awe," she said. "I want to create work that makes people pause in silence — because it's in silence that real thinking begins."