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

Shuwen, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. What’s been the most meaningful project you’ve worked on?

This photography project,Amphibian（2023）is an exploration of China’s semi-underground culture and the Generation Z queer community. It is presented through capturing the ceremonial gatherings among myself and my friends. Continuing from my personal journey of overcoming family oppression, the project delves into the shared struggles encountered by queer individuals of Generation Z, both within familial confines and societal norms.

Throughout the project’s duration, I found a deeper connection with my community peers, recognizing our shared desire for deeper expression and the need for our voices to be taken more seriously by the world. This mutual understanding led us to establish the queer label Pharos, and during our inaugural performance event, we showcased this body of work. Witnessing the realization of our envisioned stages, performances, and settings as we incrementally pushed boundaries, I deeply felt the empowering force of creativity and its ability to transcend mere expression, offering boundless possibilities for life.

This journey underscored the transformative power of art, emphasizing that life extends beyond mere artistic expression, offering limitless potential for growth, exploration, and connection with those around us.

Shuwen, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

I’m Shuwen, Starting from the underground scene in China, I am a performer passionate about expression. Currently based in London, I am pursuing a Master’s degree in Fine Arts at Central Saint Martins. Drag queen performance served as my starting point, which I’ve deconstructed and evolved. Pharos, my label, offers creative services, multimedia art, and event hosting. Alongside me, there are four co-founders, all performers with a strong desire for expression. Our shared experiences as drag queens have fostered a deep understanding and willingness to explore various performance forms.

Over the past year, our label has seamlessly integrated choreography and theatrical creation into our events. We’ve presented theatrical and artistic performances, infused with profound reflections on China’s LGBTQ+ community. This fusion not only sets us apart visually but also forms the emotional core of our work.

For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?

For me, as an artist or creative individual, one of the most valuable aspects is the ability to express my thoughts and emotions and share these ideas with others, transforming my own experiences into a form that can be presented to the world. Creating artwork or creative projects is not only a means of self-expression but also a bridge to connect with others. Through our works, we can convey our thoughts, emotions, and experiences, resonating with the audience and sparking their thoughts and emotions.

However, what I admire most is the courage of every artist and creator— the unwavering commitment from within to express their anger, vulnerability, and other emotions in various ways, even if it’s intense or calm. Every time, I am deeply moved by these.

Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?

In the process of creation, I sometimes overlook the essence of life itself—the things that truly matter. Since move to London, I’ve felt an urgency to showcase myself in various settings. However, I’ve come to realize that I’m not inherently inclined toward excessive socializing or constant self-expression. Throughout nearly two years of performing, I’ve found myself constantly worrying about others’ approval. Do they truly appreciate my work? Should I engage in more marketing? Should I lower my stance? These anxieties have plagued me, but looking back, have they truly been beneficial? My answer is no. I’ve been striving to develop in a direction that truly aligns with who I am, but I should focus on whether I’m satisfied with my own performances and creations, rather than prioritizing others’ opinions. My goal is to express myself authentically, step by step, ensuring each aspect is true to my vision, without falling into the traps of societal expectations like “how an artist should behave” or “what a successful performance looks like.” Reflecting through the past, I realize that these anxieties and my approach to handling them have somewhat diminished my passion for art and performance.

Now, I understand the importance of reevaluating my creative focus and embracing the methods I genuinely enjoy. Beyond performance and art, I’ve come to realize that life offers infinite possibilities. I plan to explore different paths, travel, immerse myself in the joys of life, and liberate myself from the relentless pursuit of fame and social validation. It’s time to prioritize what truly matters—the richness of life itself.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: shuwent_
• Youtube: shuwen tan
• Other: email:[email protected]