Today we’d like to introduce you to Delaney Shin.
Hi Delaney, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
I’ve been passionate about the arts since childhood, starting with origami lessons from my grandma and teaching friends to make cranes, boxes, and balloons. This early interest led me to pursue studio art in school, where I fell in love with both creating and teaching art.
In art school, I remember sitting in my senior seminar, and a professor mentioned that most artists have two jobs. His second job was teaching, which resonated with me as I was thriving as a TA, helping students and solving problems. This inspired me to attend graduate school and earn a master’s degree.
I graduated from graduate school with a concentration in painting. Interestingly, most of my work isn’t traditional painting. Now, I’m a full-time professor, balancing my studio practice with teaching my own classes.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
The arts offer endless opportunities for self-expression and authenticity. My biggest challenge has been staying true to myself and consistently creating art. We all have a reason for making art, and a friend’s (Lindsey Cheek Waller) words inspire me: “Over time, you learn that your art needs the world, and the world needs your art.”
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
Growing up in the Midwest in a biracial family, I often felt like I was different from many of my friends. My Asian and Caucasian heritage placed me in a unique space of comfortable vulnerability, which I embrace and celebrate. I aim to share my interpretations with others who may relate to this experience.
In my work, I specialize in paper as a primary medium. Paper’s versatility and moldability mirror the fluidity and complexity of identity. My art explores transcultural fluidity and identity, inviting viewers to reflect on their own identities as they witness the unveiling of my cultural heritage through hanging objects, drawings, and paintings. What sets me apart is my focus on using paper to navigate and express the nuanced layers of the multiracial experience.
So maybe we end on discussing what matters most to you and why?
What matters most to me is creative freedom. Being able to create what I want, how I want, sustains my passion. Many artists start by making art for others, but true fulfillment comes from creating what you love.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.delaneyshinstudio.com
- Instagram: @delaneyshinstudio
Image Credits
Delaney MeSun Shin
