Shawna X is an American artist of Chinese descent, born in Xiamen and raised in Portland, Oregon, currently based in New York City. Known for abstract, bold, and vibrant use of color and motifs, and drawing on personal and culturally nuanced experiences, Shawna's work explores themes of identity, creativity, and motherhood, often utilizing multimedia and public spaces as mediums for expression.


Currently, Shawna's work focuses on the relationship  in which the body of the mother is connected to the landscape of the universe. She seeks to shed light on the deep and complex connections between the body, the natural world, and the experience. She has been invited to speak about these themes at events such as Adobe Max, Us by Night, and AIGA, and has collaborated with a wide range of clients in the fields of music, fashion, and technology, including New Yorker, MINI, Academy Awards, Nike, and Ghostly International.






Work inquiries: studio@shawna-x.com


 

Select press
Adobe MAX︎︎︎
It’s Nice That︎︎︎
Creative Independent︎︎︎ 
Maekan︎︎︎
The Great Discontent interview︎︎︎
AIGA Eye On Design︎︎︎
Dr Martens #WornDifferent︎︎︎
Miss Bish︎︎︎
Adobe Live Drawing 1, 2, 3︎︎︎
Complex Style︎︎︎
 

Teaching / Judging
Young Guns, 2021
Society of Illustrators, 2019
Parsons The New School for Design,
Mobile Design, 2015-2017


Speaking
Adobe MAX Keynote Speaker, 2021
Cranbrook Academy of Art Visiting Lecturer, 2021
The New School Invited speaker, 2020
Us By Night, Antwerp Belgium, 2019
Portland Design Week, Portland 2019
Creative Works, Memphis, 2018
Pratt Institute, Brooklyn 2018
Portland State University, 2018
AIGA Mainstage, Minneapolis, 2017
The Great Discontent Live with Collin Hughes, NYC, 2017
Ladies Get Paid panel, Behance, NYC 2017 
Secret Handshake, Art Director's Club, NYC 2015
Permanent Installation
Cyclical Everything, Elmont LIRR Station, Commissioned by MTA 2022

Solo Exhibitions
"F*** Your Manners", A/D/O, Brooklyn NY 2018
"Netscape", Powrplnt, Brooklyn, NY 2016


Group Exhibitions
Artists Who Code, Vellum LA x Artsy, 2022
Museum of Pizza, Brooklyn NY 2018
ADIOS: Vancouver Island, Art Helix, Brooklyn NY 2017
REFUGE, Sid Lee Collective, New York, NY 2017
Girls of Summer, Vandervoort Studios, Brooklyn, NY 2015
Typeforce NYC, Type Director's Club, New York, NY 2015
PDX Flash, Compound Gallery, Portland OR 2015
Typeforce 5, Co-Prosperity Sphere, Chicago IL 2014
Mad Science PDX, Gallery 151, Portland OR 2013
Inspiration China, Portland Art Museum, Portland OR 2010