“The harvest depends on the seasons

Sometimes paintings, sometimes words

Sometimes flower pulp, sometimes photographs

Whatever's ripe we'll dine on tonight”

-Nini Wang, in Harvester, a philosophy of artmaking

Artist Bio

Nini is a visual artist with a curious and playful soul who finds joy in learning from a variety of different disciplines. Her mixed media artworks incorporate a diverse range of mediums, from photography and paper pulp to painting, books, and textiles. With Nini one must expect the unexpected — even she is at times surprised by the final form her artworks take. This wondrous phenomenon is closely related to her Christian faith as she describes her artworks as fruit baskets brought back from Jesus’ country.

Nini is currently studying in the Faculty of Fine Arts at Concordia University in Montréal (Canada) where her artworks have been exhibited at the VAV Gallery, featured in the InArte Journal, and highlighted in the university's Fine Art News. She has also received funding for her artistic activities from RBC (Royal Bank of Canada) and Concordia’s Dean’s Office in collaboration with the Greater Montreal area’s REM (Réseau express métropolitain).

Artist Origins

My journey differs from those artists who recognized their calling early on. I initially pursued a different career path, but I stumbled upon a profound connection to art— it almost felt like coming home after a long trip abroad. I was captivated by artists who were not just creating beauty, but were using it to express their deepest reflections on the human experience. I felt this longing to do the same but was very skeptical of whether I could, since I had no serious foundation or background in fine arts yet. Despite the looming uncertainty, I found a really exciting BFA program and prepared a portfolio as per their admission requirements. The night before the university’s portfolio review event, it suddenly dawned on me that I wasn’t completely sure if I was making the right decision. I then prayed and told God it’d be nice if I could just know with confidence that I’m not making a mistake. The next day, with an almost incomplete portfolio, I was unexpectedly accepted on the spot by a drawing and painting professor, who also recommended me to the studio arts faculty. It was the without-a-doubt confirmation I had asked for, and the star guiding this entire endeavour.

Artist Statement

Artistic Signature

As I labour to understand and represent my surroundings, I realize my naked eyes can only behold a piece of reality and that the many other pieces are elusive to them- they only show themselves to my heart. An intuitive need to translate both into a visual language has given birth to my signature, a blending of figurative and abstract elements. The resulting artworks embody an organic sense of mystery, feeling both familiar and undefined, like looking through slightly foggy glass.

Artistic Process

For me the creation of a series means wrestling with colors and words, techniques and materials until I discover the combination where the message and the form sing in harmony.The impetus of a series can come from different places; dreams, a material exploration, or writing. Writing is actually an especially potent medium in my process; each page could be the small beginnings of a larger body of work. I relate to Augustine’s* observation on writing, “I write as I progress and progress as I write”.

Then there’s the spark that comes from practice and exploration in the studio. I’ve noticed a particular affinity I seem to share with unpredictable processes; I love how they force me give up control and simply witness the miracles awaiting us. The days in the studio spent experimenting forges new friendships, where techniques and materials surprise and grow me, and their influence are likely to appear in a future series. But the mundane days of repeated practice are also close to my heart, because they teach me just as much as the exploratory days. Anyway, I trust time to do her slow work of grinding me down to a finer and finer artist.

*St. Augustine of Hippo

Artistic Essence

Anyone who’s known me for a period of time would tell you that “with Nini, you must expect the unexpected— even she is sometimes surprised by the paths she finds herself walking”. This wondrous phenomenon is closely related to my Christian faith, the only true constant in my practice of art and of life. Think of my artworks as fruit baskets brought back from Jesus’ country- while it’s my greatest pleasure that they’d nourish you during the little time we have together at my table, I pray that someday you might be able to visit the orchard for yourself. There’s nothing like it on earth.

My artistic practice and my very self are slow works-in-progress, so I owe you a special thanks for being around in these early days — moments to be savoured before they slip away into nostalgia.

Love always,

Nini

Explore Further

  1. open artbooks

    A library of Nini’s self-published titles with selected sections adapted into a web version, open for consultation at all times

  2. studio visit

    Join Nini for a 15-minute stroll through her studio and experience the artworks directly from the artist’s perspective

  3. catalogue

    In anticipation of the next shop opening, explore the catalogue to make note of your favourite artworks