SHAINA LU
Shaina Lu 呂明穎 (she/her) is a queer Taiwanese-American artist interested in the intersection of art, education, and activism. She creates community art for social change through dialogue and conversation with local youth, residents, and grassroots organizers. She is the creator of NOODLE & BAO (2024, HarperCollins Quill Tree.)
When she’s not creating art, she works with young artists and makers in Boston’s Chinatown.
Most importantly, she drinks juice every day, and she is full of sugar.
Find this poster at the Cambridge KiOSK in Harvard Square.
This artwork was selected by guest curator, Meg Rotzel.
Meet Meg Rotzel
Meg Rotzel is an artist and curator based in Boston, MA. Her artwork, based in drawing and ceramics, is a deep material exploration of temporality, language, and the hierarchies of collections. Her curatorial work is situated in the research university setting—as Curator of Exhibitions at the Harvard Radcliffe Institute for Advanced Study, she commissions new works that engage with knowledge production, the formation of community, and the legacies of collections and colonialism.
ARTIST Q&A
Born: Monterey Park, CA
Currently lives: Malden, MA
Title of artwork: 舞龍
What’s it about?
Dragon dance is performed all around Asia and in Chinatowns across the world. There are two things that I’ve been thinking about — the dragon head’s singular focus on chasing the pearl, and the coordination and group effort required to animate one dragon. I’m hoping to apply that to our collective commitment to chasing liberation.
Where else can we find your work?
If you like reading, you can find my graphic novel (Noodle & Bao) in most bookstores! Some favorite indie stores: Porter Square Books, Brookline Booksmith, Narrative Books. You could also find some public art in Boston Chinatown and Malden. Otherwise, you can probably find my art online, or at various comics and zine fairs.
Where is your favorite public art piece in the area?
“In Allston, I particularly love the “”Greetings from Allston Village”” mural on Farrington St.
In greater Boston, though, my favorite murals are in Chinatown. I have a soft spot for Wenti Tsen’s “”Chinatown Heritage Mural,”” tucked away in a small courtyard (Oxford St/Beach St) and I love Bryan Beyung’s giant vase.”
What’s your favorite way to spend a day off?
In the spring, I like to dig ineffectively in my lawn and read books.
Favorite food spot in in Allston, Brighton or the surrounding area?
Spring Shabu-Shabu — there’s unlimited soft-serve!
What have you learned about your creative practice in recent years?
I learned two major things in recent years. The first is not to make any art that I wouldn’t make for free. The second is (while breaking my wrist drawing a 224-page graphic novel) that while I love making art, it’s so crucial to also be living life while I do that. I have to be actively engaging with my neighbors, the community, and have have my feet planted in the ground. There is no art without living, and no living without art.
What is a piece of advice you would give to your past self as a young artist?
To elementary school Shaina: Drawing comics on your homework will eventually pay off, and you’ll get to do it for a living. Keep drawing on your homework!
You’re hosting book club next, what is everyone reading?
Why Civil Resistance Works by Erica Chenoweth and Maria J Stephan
What is your dream project to work on?
Every project I work on is my dream project! I don’t work on anything that isn’t my dream art project.
