Solo show: Selections from 開花結果 OPEN FLOWERS BEAR FRUIT
1 May 2023–31 May 2024
Exhibition companion: https://openflowersbearfruit.com

McCarthy Gallery, Holekamp Hall
Museums at Washington & Lee University

” “開花結果 OPEN FLOWERS BEAR FRUIT” presents seven photographs from artist Stephanie Shih’s ongoing Asian American Still Life series that claims space for Asian diaspora cultural history and speaks to the cross-cutting of culture, commerce, and art in Asian, European, and American histories. As a second-generation Taiwanese-Chinese American, Shih explores themes of contemporary and historical cultural dynamics of the diaspora through her still life creations. 

The title 開花, ‘open flower,’ is a Chinese phrase that means literally, ‘to bloom,’ and figuratively, ‘to succeed.’ Shih’s lush photographs evoke elaborate Dutch 17th century and other European still life paintings that are densely populated with flowers, as well as objects and foods made by Asian American artists that are significant to diverse perspectives and lived experiences in the AAPI communities. Shih’s compositions playfully invite viewers to mentally reach for a Chinese pineapple bun or a bite of Korean kimchi, and then demand a closer look that reveals layered meanings challenging the definitions of identity and celebrating the exuberance of the resulting Asian American experience. In doing so, the photographs appear defiant to the reminders of mortality so present in the Dutch still life paintings that the images mimic. 

This exhibition is made possible due to the generous support of the Williams School, the Art and Art History department, and East Asian Languages and Literatures department.  It was organized by senior curator of art, Patricia Hobbs.” –Museums at W&L

New work, on cookies and on coffee, for Los Angeles Times Food that ran this past February/March! Loved rounding up all the LA Times Food staff to make this chocolate chip cookie image.

“Potluck” Group Exhibition, curated by Dasha Matsuura
18 February–11 March 2023
Opening reception Saturday, 18 February, 5–8PM

Hashimoto Contemporary LA
2754 S La Cienega Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90034

Select special edition, artist framed miniature works from my new series, Nature Torte, will be available for the first time at the annual food-themed Potluck exhibition at Hashimoto Contemporary LA this February. For an advanced preview, please email LA@hashimotocontemporary.com.

Solo show: 開花結果 OPEN FLOWERS BEAR FRUIT

9 November 2022–12 March 2023

Artist Talk: 19 January 2023, 6:30PM
Exhibition companion: https://openflowersbearfruit.com

USC Pacific Asia Museum

46 North Los Robles Avenue
Pasadena, California 91101

“開花結果 Open Flowers Bear Fruit presents 10
photographs from Stephanie Shih’s ongoing series Asian American Still
Life. Through her references to 17th century Dutch still life
paintings, Shih’s visually rich and detailed photographs remind viewers
of the complex history of objects and food. Upon viewing the
photographs, visitors may contemplate reaching through the surface of
the paper to grad ahold of a donut or a bite of mochi. However, the
richest reward in spending time with Shih’s series is to consider the
complexity of the Asian American experience as it has manifested in the
foods we eat and the things that remind us of home. Shih’s passion in
telling Asian American stories through her selection of objects and
foods is particularly compelling, as is her specific interest in
collaborating with the artists who create the ceramics and foods
featured in her still life photographs. From November 9, 2022 until
March 12, 2023, please stop by our Annex Gallery to see Shih’s work in
person.” –USC Pacific Asia Museum

Here’s the spread of moving and still images that I created for the LA Times Image article on incense culture in Los Angeles. This was such an incredible dream assignment, building on still life symbolism to capture the ~*vibes*~ of incense, the heaviness of the smokey air, the strong sense-memories of each scent, the swirls of dreams that hang. We pulled from both cultural touchstones like home altars and LA-centric references like the desert and sea to create these images.

See above for one of the early planning sketches. And read the whole article here!