Jiannan Wu(b.1990) is a China-born, New York based artist specializing in sculpture. He received his BFA Degree in Sculpture from China Academy of Art and his MFA Degree in Sculpture from New York Academy of Art. He is an adjunct faculty of New York Academy of Art, an Elected Member of American National Sculpture Society, American Medallic Sculpture Association and founder of Art America China Project. Through formats of sculpture and wall-mounted relief, He presents the theme of contemporary urban life and social events such as politics and sports with a focus on realism and a playful, satirical and multifaceted narrative, that can make us realize the often absurd nature of the environment we’re currently living in.
Jiannan Wu is the recipient of the Elizabeth Greenshields Foundation grant, winner of 2017 & 2022 Dexter Jones Award presented by American National Sculpture Society, winner of Compleat Sculptor Award, and other awards. He was selected as “2022 Top 10 Outstanding Chinese American Youth”&“2020 AACYF Top 30 Under 30” presented by All America Chinese Youth Federation. His work is recognized as The Best Original Sculpture in 2019 by Sculpture Magazine of China. In addition, he was selected for Terra Foundation Residency in Giverny France 2015, ABC Stone Carrara Merit Award Residency in Italy 2016, West Nottingham Academy Eric Fischl Artist-in-Residence 2019, The Swatch Art Peace Hotel artist residency in Shanghai 2023 and Tombolo Artist Residency in NYC 2023. His works have also been displayed on numerous exhibitions at renowned venues such as Accesso Gallery in Italy, Gallery Poulsen and Art Herning in Denmark, the Sotheby’s, Art Miami, and Southampton Arts Center in the United States, Bonner Kunstverein in Germany, Chongqing Contemporary Art Museum and Leo Gallery in China, etc. His works and art achievements have been published in The New York Times, The China Press, Metal Magazine, Beautiful Bizarre Magazine, Hi-Fructose Magazine, Collections Magazine, T(here) Magazine, etc. His works have been collected by numerous institutions and individuals.
What are the biggest challenges you have met in your career?
Balancing creation and work. When I just graduated, without stable exhibitions and sales, I needed a full-time job to make a living. The consumption of time and energy by work made creation quite difficult; I had to seize and effectively utilize time. Similarly, now I need to balance teaching at school and my own creative time.
How was your passion for art born?
Probably around four or five years old, I instinctively started liking drawing on paper. My parents noticed and sent me to art classes. Since then, there has been no interruption, all the way until I entered the art academy for professional studies. I’m very lucky that this passion still remains with me today.
What is your main source of inspiration?
My inspiration comes from daily life, such as childhood memories and what I see and hear. I mainly focus on realism, which can be about social events, sports matches, news reports, or animated movies.
What does art mean to you?
It’s a way of life, an important part of my life. I don’t want to treat it as a ‘job,’ as that would diminish my passion. I prefer to create in a relaxed state, enjoying both the process and the outcome.
Portrait Jiannan Wu