We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Shannon Shiang a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Shannon, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. What’s the kindest thing anyone has ever done for you?

For an artist, striking a balance between personal expression and market appeal is a constant challenge. In a conversation with my close friend Brock Pierce, he asked a game-changing question: “What if I could ease your biggest financial burden? Could you then fully focus on your artistic vision?”

His generous support has allowed me to flourish. He provided me with a place to live which permitted me to pour all my energy into shaping a future that embraces both my dreams and my family’s. In addition, Brock has been a huge advocate of my artwork and shares it to his network to help share my work to the community. I’m extremely grateful for his support.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

I was born in southern California, and since I was a child, I have felt an innate artistic drive. As many others on the artist’s path experience, the journey in fulfilling artistic goals and dreams has many twist and turns. I attended art school but upon graduation felt ill prepared to survive as a creative. I straddled the worlds of the arts and “regular” jobs to make ends meet until I helped a dear friend David Graziano with a jewelry project. It was while helping him create a necklace for his burning man camp that I realized my love for the medium. I realized I could bring happiness to people’s lives by weaving metal and gems into miniature sculptures.

Since that day with David, I have become a full time jewelry designer and my work has been featured in many museums and auctions including the Smithsonian Renwick, the Oakland Museum of Art, Sotheby’s, and many more.

My artistic endeavors are evolving beyond jewelry. Recently I have been creating artworks using up cycled materials, by integrating techniques of painting and over laying mixed media. By a unique technique, I transform waste into art technological works of functional beauty.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

The most rewarding aspect of being a a creative is when I see an impact of positive change. Just simple conversations with the right people can lead to a deep change in the history of the human race. I am always engaged in creating a more kind eco. system as many of us are still processing our traumas and ancestreal wounds. Art allows us to shift outside that and ask questions and as an artist, I am constantly even more curious of what we can grow together.

Is there mission driving your creative journey?

I believe that art has the power to transcend boundaries, bridge gaps, and communicate ideas that words alone cannot express.I aim to create art that not only resonates with people on a personal level but also serves as a catalyst for meaningful conversations and positive change in society.

My artwork is a journey of self discovery with a desire to allow those to look their own process of the human experience. My passion includes building a community of like minded individuals who also have a thirst to inspire positive change in their environment and spark joy to those around them.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.shannonshiang.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shannonshiang/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shannon-shiang-591b4b
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/ShannonShiang
• Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@shannonshiang?lang=en

Image Credits
Margaret Madeleine – for all the photos