The first time I saw Wan Ju’s work was at her open studio event. Her work captivated me by her interesting use of materials to create textures that seemed to relate a different message altogether. The second time I saw her work was at her Facebook. She has used a different approach for her subject matter and what I saw was something more methodological and composed. She said her concept is based on shadows. She paints shadows as how they appeal to her. She sees herself liken to a shadow without a specific nature, that changes according to the direction of lights and even the characteristics of the environment. Unlike western culture which sees shadows as the darker side of a persona, Wan Ju feels that shadows represent parts of her that are hidden and remain hard to understand. She conveys her ideas and concepts by combining certain elements of the symbolic eastern thoughts with materials and traditions of western painting. She is not restricted by any technique or medium, but hold to the task of discovering her inner world through shadow to create new form in a contemporary era.

Everything that we see is a shadow cast by that which we do not see. (Martin Luther King, Jr.)

Tell me a little about yourself, about your life?
I grew up in Taipei, Taiwan. I started my art training when I was in high school, Fu Xing. I have 2 aunts who were trained in both Chinese and Western art. They were the ones who encouraged me to paint and draw. My parents objected me to pursue a career in art at first, but when they discover my talents, they decided to let me do what I wanted to do. After I got my Bachelor degree in art from Da Yeh University, I taught art to children aged 6 to 12 years old. After 2 years of teaching art & craft, I decided to enrole myself with Savannah College of Art & Design.

Where did you go to school?
Da Yeh University and Savannah College of Art & Design.

What classes did you study? What is your major?
I am a graduate student majoring in Painting.

What helped you become the artist you are today?
SCAD has exposed me to many Contemporary artists and art which in turn influenced what I understood about art and painting. Back home, I was only taught painting techniques. Unlike Taiwan which has a limited resource on contemporary art in English, SCAD has a great library. I was most influenced by looking at art and artists dated between 1960 and 1985, which is the Contemporary art period. Their ideas and concepts provoke me to think even more, and show how little I knew about art.

What do you hope to become one day?
A full time artist. Besides, I want to teach as well. If possible I want to work in a gallery so I will learn the ropes of managing and running one too. At the same time I can get to know and communicate with other artists.

Do you intend to stay in the States for a long time?
Yes, at least for a few years before I return to Taiwan. America is a more conducive environment to develop myself as an artist.

Who are your influences?
I am really inspired by a lady artist named Pat Steir whose paintings have been described as a conversation with the past – specifically with certain art historical movements, from Abstract Expressionism to Romanticism to traditional Chinese painting. I love paintings by Johannes Vermeer for his used of colors as well.

Where do you get your inspiration from?
From nature and her elements.

What is your most favorite subject to draw? And why?
Shadows. They reflect my personality and what I am like. Like shadows which are without a specific form and shape and change according to light and the environment, it is really difficult to understand who and what I am or was.

What wisdom could you give us, about being an artist? Do you have any tips you could give?
Creativity is important and practise a lot.

If people would like to contact you, how would you like to be contacted?
By email: wnj_w@yahoo.com

Finally, do you have any of your art work for sale (sketchbook, prints, or anything) for people that like your work can know where and when to buy it?
Contact me via my email address.

Character is like a tree and reputation like a shadow. The shadow is what we think of it; the tree is the real thing. (Abraham Lincoln)