shanghaiwu's Profile

From: Australia
Joined: April 05, 2008
redbubble.com.au/people/shanghaiwu

About shanghaiwu:

Smart Artz Gallery 96908872 or Sharon@smartartzgallery.com.au

"EXPOSURE" /Melbourne Camera Club Magazine COVER/Jan /Feb-'08/ "Going Somewhere"

Stepping from the classroom into the Japanese culture for 5 years was the beginning of what was to become a life changing passion. Whilst in Japan I had weekly lessons in Ikebana/ calligraphy/ sumi-e/ water colour/ tea ceremony/ language.With very basic camera , computer skills and virtually no art background ,began a most amazing journey of discovery through images. Whilst in Hiroshima I produced 2 cd's of images/"Winter Knights" & "Images of Fuji"/all proceeds going to the homeless of Hiroshima and the "Clean up Fuji" campaign. They were very basic but helped me become more computer comfortable and gave me a purpose. Saw part of a TV program about a Frenchman who layered amazing photos in his darkroom and thought ....I must do this....... . So in the last years in Japan started basic 2 layering and cutting using photoshop. Photoshop became to me as a paintbrush to an artist /a pencil to a writer . Then I moved to Shanghai for 2 years and was approached/after a series of events/ by the editor of "that's shanghai"/Stephen Crane. He encouraged me to try a more complex photo collage and this went on the next monthly cover of their magazine. I then realised the power of being able to tell stories through images .As each photo image was being created I guess I became more daring and experienced a certain freedom I never thought possible..
I am ever so grateful that I have stumbled over this means of expression through a process of trial and error. So many people have influenced this special time/Hiroshima & Tong li artists and all the amazing Japanese and Chinese who smiled /posed and allowed my digital camera to become my diary. I have taken thousands of photographs always with permission/well most. Each day, as I take out my camera, I marvel at it and and the minds which helped create and have perfected it along the way.
I also wonder about those who worked excidedly and tirelessly in the darkroom experimenting and layering photographs which has led me to also experiment with photoshop, allowing me this freedom.
Creativity is about a process, a journey, an awakening of the soul. My work/whatever you may wish to label it ,is 99% photographs and the rest experimenting with paint and illustrating. What I have shown you is a shadow of what I have experienced. Each shadow having many milestones.. I create to learn, I create to release a force of energy, find freedom, fly swiftly on the wing of a bird .Creating takes me in many directions and is like a rush of words ,easily said and with certain simplicity. I daily gather information which collects in my subconscious. As I create I learn more about myself and others. I foget the computer is a machine and step inside and become as another and photographic shapes become as magic. To write about my work seems rather pointless and would prefer others to come to there own conclusions and maybe just simply enjoy or just enjoy the simplicity. I will continue to be inspired daily by the photographs of others. How privileged I feel to view anothers work and be allowed to step into his of her mind for a moment and take away a message they have hoped that I will understand . Also I will always be grateful for the encouragement of family, friends and colleagues whilst on this special journey of discovery.

Awards:
"Japan Times": photography
Pudong Telecommunications Tower:creative photography
"Shanghai Daily"/Eyespy......photographs
"Shanghai Talk":photo award
"that's shanghai" article and photo series
"that's shanghai" cover and monthly contributions.Media Kit.

Epson Photography Competition 2005-6/Creative section/"Journey of Dreams" based on LiangShuo's migrant workers of China/18 photos /sent from China /judged in Japan/award/originals housed in Japan.
Photography for Chesterton Petty/Shanghai based.
Private collections of photographs in America & Japan & London & Australia.

Series of 100 plus photographs taken in France/audio visual/ shown at fund raiser ball in London/Nov /2007.

Photographs exhibited at Melbourne Camera Club 2006/07

Awarded "Best Creative Print"/2007
Awarded"Charles du Rieu Trophy/Print of the Year/2007"
Melbourne Camera Club

Photos exibited at Convent Gallery/Daylesford/Victoria/Australia

Convent Gallery, Daylesford
Housed in a 19th C. historic mansion, The Convent incorporates seven galleries, two retail areas specialising in unique handcrafts, cafe, bar, penthouse apartment, function rooms, chapel and gardens. Filled with work by over 100 local, national and international artists, The Convent combines culture and history in a setting like no other.
Thankyou to Tina Banitska from the Convent Gallery as she has been pure inspiration!

www.theconvent.com.au

+61 3 5348 3211


Corner of Hill and Daly Streets
Daylesford, 3460


Ansonia Boutique/Ballarat/photographs exibited.
Creative photographs exhibited at Photoimaging Expo.'07
Solo Exhibition at the Convent Gallery/Daylesford/Victoria/Australia /Diary of the Mind"
Featured in Art Gallery Guide /AustraliaMay-June/2007
Melbourne Camera Club/Photography Exhibition/awards for digital photos.

Thankyou to the amazing editor of 'that's shanghai"/Steven Crane and his co-editor/Miriam Raymond for their support and encouragement to allow me to create with really no boundaries .
Thanks also to Kevin Power (passionforpixels)P4P. When I returned to Australia this site gave me purpose and the challenge to continue with a passion that has become part of my everyday life.

Member of Freeradical
Member of Melbourne Camera Club..thankyou to my friends at MCC who have always encouraged .
Member of Camberwell Camera Club

redbubble.com.au/people/shanghaiwu
www.saatchi-gallery.co.uk/yourgallery/online
shanghaiwu/flickr
Passionforpixels

work featured on:
www.thebigboxofcolours.org
work featured:
http://www.youtube.com/watch
WWW:ART BREAK.com


Creations by "shanghaiwu" can be bought as cards /larger works on Red Bubble also some photographs.

Also on this site when I work out what to do.........ha