Artist, Filmmaker, & Alum Opens New Exhibition at Shanghai’s M50
Shanghai American School Alum Michael Tian '17 once again has captured the spotlight with his second solo exhibition, Eye of the Storm, debuting this month at None Project Gallery in Shanghai’s M50 Creative Park. This latest showcase explores the intersection between reality and alternate dimensions, offering visitors a thought-provoking exploration of possibility and perspective.
Michael’s multidisciplinary background, fostered during his time at SAS and further developed during his time at New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts, where he studied film, is evident in his works on display. Each piece seamlessly combines a photographer’s keen eye, a filmmaker’s sense of dimensionality and space, and the technical precision of digital design.
“The primary medium of this series is a combination of traditional and digital art, as a means of highlighting the separation between our world and other realms of possibility,” Michael explained. “Through this, I want to explore themes of grappling with our own scale in the grand scheme of existence all while highlighting our own significance as individuals with our own experiences and feelings.”
Michael’s artistic passion was evident from an early age. He credits his teachers and experiences at SAS for opening his eyes to the possibilities of the intersection of art and film. “I chose to take both IB Art and IB Film and I’m grateful that I was able to embark on my own path at SAS,” he shared.
He fondly recalls how the SAS community inspired him, shaped his journey, and gave him a platform to grow. “Seeing projects I poured so much energy into hanging up around school and on the big screen in the Performing Arts Center invigorated me to pursue ways of telling stories. After I graduated, I would run into younger SAS students who had seen my work when they were underclassmen and tell me that it had left an impact on them. I’m extremely grateful to be a part of this legacy of art at SAS.”
Inspirational circularity is at the core of the SAS alumni community. Michael shared his most valuable piece of advice for SAS creatives, “Just go for it, and then keep going! One of the things I regret the most was getting too in my head and not constantly creating. While I’m proud of what I’ve made, I think I would have benefitted a lot if I had embraced the potential of failure and kept going. It takes a lot of bravery to make yourself vulnerable by putting your work out there, so be kind to yourself. Nothing is going to be perfect, but at the same time, nothing is going to be your last piece or your last opportunity, unless you choose it to be.”
Michael's exhibition, Eye of the Storm, promises to leave audiences captivated by its innovative storytelling and striking visuals. We look forward to seeing what he creates next.
