Shangyu Cai

Shangyu Cai, born in Beijing, China (1999).

She graduated from Maryland Institute College of Art with a Bachelor of fine art degree in 2022. Shangyu is currently studying at the Royal College of Art for a Master degree in Painting. Her works explore nature and humanity.

I am drawn into the vitality of nature. I like standing in the forest and maintaining a conversation between me and nature. I found out that an invisible link exists. This link is between everything within nature and my senses. I particularly have a strong connection with trees. I am struck by their growing ability, and the uniqueness of each tree. They always hold a sturdy energy, to keep their lives eternally. My human organism helps me to get in touch with trees, and to be unified with nature. My senses and body structure assist me in building a relationship with natural surroundings. 

My paintings are filled with trees and human organisms. I use oil paints as the main medium. Sometimes, trees and human organisms hold similar body structures. I compositionally combine them together into my paintings. I consciously emphasise the colour that is reflected by the light instead of an organ's colour itself.

I habitually sketch out first before I make paintings. The line work created by the oil pastel potentially builds up a sense of movement. I believe that as trees are growing their stems are intentionally curvy. I utilise the line work that trees originate, to show vitality.

I have a strong fascination with fabric. I enjoy the progression of weaving and knitting. The action of threads knitting back and forth are as trees growing day by day. I intend to combine acrylic paint and yarn together to address the movement of nature’s continuous extendability