In New York City's art scene, Taiwanese artist Yalan Wen stands out as a visionary whose practice seamlessly bridges the realms of computational imagery, new media installations, and traditional painting. Her compelling body of work delves into the intricate interconnectedness of nature, unearthing nuanced emotions and profound philosophical ideas that lie beneath the surface. With a distinctive background rooted in both art and science, Wen’s artistic exploration seeks a delicate balance between simplicity and deeper intellectual inquiry, consistently inviting viewers to perceive the subtle events and profound quietude often overlooked in our bustling world.
Wen’s journey to becoming a distinguished artist is marked by significant academic rigor and artistic exploration. She holds an MFA in Computer Art from the School of Visual Arts (SVA) and a BA in Graphic Design from National Taiwan Normal University, laying the foundation for her innovative approach. This unique educational blend allows her to navigate complex technological landscapes while maintaining a deeply humanistic and contemplative artistic core.
Nature is a muse to the artist. At the heart of Wen’s artistic philosophy lies an abiding fascination with nature. "It may sound like a cliché, but nature has always been a profound source of inspiration for me," Wen shares. "It’s something I continually return to, a shared space where we can all find connection, grounding, and meaning." Her work is not merely a depiction of landscapes but an inquiry into the myriad layers of the natural world and its powerful influence on human emotions and environments. She emphasizes how even the smallest patches of green can possess immense value, transcending ecological significance to embrace emotional and social dimensions. This perspective was profoundly crystallized by her observation of the ongoing fight to preserve the Elizabeth Street Garden in New York, which solidified her commitment to highlighting the quiet power of these spaces and amplifying voices often unheard.
This deep reverence for nature manifests compellingly in her paintings, such as "Bouquet of Hope" and "Summer in the Garden." Wen elucidates her process: "For years, I’ve been drawn to capturing the subtle movements within my surroundings — the gentle curve of a branch, the negative space between leaves, the rhythm of light and shadow, even the quiet suggestion of sound." These works are her attempt to translate imperceptible motions into stillness, creating suspended moments where life quietly unfolds, and time continues its passage. This unique ability to freeze the fluidity of nature within a single frame imbues her paintings with a deeply poetic quality, inviting contemplation on the ephemeral yet eternal aspects of existence.
Wen’s admiration for master landscape painters further informs her artistic lineage. While acknowledging the difficulty of choosing just one, she expresses a particular affinity for Pieter Brueghel’s symbolic and often humorous landscapes, which she finds "feel so alive." She is also drawn to the rich colors and layered textures in Gustav Klimt’s nature scenes and the romantic, powerful energy in Akseli Gallen-Kallela’s compositions. These influences underscore her appreciation for artists who offer distinct lenses through which humanity relates to the land.
Beyond her evocative nature-centric works, Wen’s career is punctuated by projects that significantly advance dialogue within her field, particularly at the intersection of cultural heritage and technology. A standout example is her participation as the visual artist on a team of three people selected for the "We Remember: Local Hakka Memorial" initiative. Wen is the visual artist, engineer, and researcher, and together, the trio won the silver medal award of this competition. Produced by Taiwan’s Hakka Affairs Council, this cabinet-level agency aims to revitalize Hakka culture and heritage through a national design competition and community collaboration focused on reconstructing and memorializing suppressed or forgotten histories of Hakka villages.
"Using the intersection of technology and art, we designed a memorial artwork to honor our Hakka heritage," Wen explains. "It was especially meaningful to me because it connected directly to my hometown and cultural identity." This project resonated deeply with her personal experience of living abroad and navigating between cultures, allowing her to explore the concept of "home" for those who frequently move or reside between places. Recognized within Taiwan’s cultural policy and design sectors as a leading example of community-based memory recovery, this endeavor showcases Wen’s commitment to art as a vehicle for cultural preservation and identity formation through memory and place.
Yalan Wen’s ability to find profound meaning in even the most restrictive circumstances is powerfully illustrated by her 2023 Bridge Video Award-winning work, "Room View." Selected for screening at the Bridge Film & Video Festival, a highly respected juried event held at SITE/less Chicago, this piece documents the view outside her window in midtown Manhattan during the 30-day lockdown from March to April 2020.
In this poignant work, Wen meticulously recorded ambient sounds—including sirens, radio broadcasts, and the applause for essential workers—alongside the shifting weather patterns and the iconic Chrysler Building. "In the video, the visuals slowly 'melt' in response to the audio, creating a sensory dialogue between what’s seen and what’s heard," she describes. "It reflects the stillness and psychological blur of quarantine, when time felt suspended, and sound became my only connection to the outside world." "Room View" serves as a compelling artistic testament to a shared global experience, transforming isolation into a profound meditation on sensory perception and the passage of time.
Yalan Wen's distinctive artistic voice has garnered considerable acclaim and a robust exhibition history across prominent international venues. Her works have been showcased at the CADAF Art Fair (New York), SIGGRAPH ASIA art gallery (Korea), and the Kaohsiung Museum of Fine Arts (Taiwan). Recent exhibitions include "Are You Still Living In New York?" at the Asymmetry Library in Jersey City, the National Arts Club Artist Fellows Exhibition in New York, and CULTUREHUB Re-Fest in 2024. She has also participated in online exhibitions and events, such as Intersection in the GOXR metaverse, demonstrating her fluency with new artistic platforms.
Her impressive list of accolades includes the prestigious National Arts Club Artist Fellowship for 2025 and the Paula Rhodes Memorial Award. Her film works have received recognition at numerous festivals, including the Italy International Film Festival in 2024 and being a finalist at the Cannes Continental Film Festival in 2023. Awards from the Shawna Shea Memorial Film Festival and the Bridge Video SITE/less Chicago further underscore her impact in the realm of experimental film and video art.
Wen’s professional footprint extends beyond her studio practice. She has held impactful artist residencies at the West Harlem Art Fund on Governors Island, New York (2021), and Chateau d'Orquevaux, France (2023), which have further enriched her exploration of humanity and ecological themes. She has also curated exhibitions, notably "Intersection: Between Reality and Illusion," supported by the Taiwanese government. Her academic engagements include presenting at institutions such as the School of Visual Arts, Queens College, and the EVA Conference in London, cementing her role as a thought leader in the evolving landscape of digital art. Beyond the art world, Wen has leveraged her design expertise professionally for organizations like Digiday, Volvox Lab, Dusty Studio, BumbleBear Games, and Wix, showcasing a versatile skill set.
As Yalan Wen continues to explore the dynamic intersection of nature and technology in her art, her vision for the future is clear and ambitious. "I’ve been experimenting with generative and new media techniques, and I want to keep pushing the possibilities of these tools (including AI) while integrating them in an elegant, intentional way," she affirms. Her aspiration transcends mere novelty; she seeks to weave technology meaningfully into her work to deepen the conversation around nature, time, and the human experience.
Ultimately, Wen hopes her practice offers a fresh perspective for those navigating the complex nexus of traditional and innovative art forms. Her work strives to foster a dialogue where painting, digital art, and cutting-edge technology can not only coexist but mutually enrich one another, creating a more expansive and nuanced artistic vocabulary.
Yalan Wen’s dedication to capturing the profound stillness within motion, exploring the subtle whispers of nature, and harnessing technology to deepen these inquiries, positions her as a significant voice in contemporary art. She continues to inspire, creating works that invite collective reflection on our shared world and our place within it. To learn more about her captivating work and artistic philosophy, further details are available on her personal website and social media channels.
