impressions of shanghai: from china to nyc
Impressions of Shanghai is a small printmaking series inspired by everyday moments I experienced while living in the city. Rather than focusing on landmarks or iconic skylines, these prints capture quieter scenes that shaped my experience: aunties dancing in public parks, street skewers, and the ritual of sharing soup dumplings.
China has one of the longest printmaking traditions in the world, with woodblock printing dating back over a thousand years. That history of carving and printing images—bold, direct, and reproducible, continues to influence contemporary artists today. Working within this broader printmaking tradition, I was drawn to the physical act of carving and printing as a way of translating moments into imagery.
Each print represents a small segment of life in Shanghai. Movement, food, and public gathering became recurring moments in my experience of the city. By carving these scenes and printing them as stamps, I transform fleeting observations into lasting impressions, preserving moments that might otherwise fade into the rhythm of daily life.
Xiao Long Bao
Home of the soup dumpling, how can I not include this in my reflection on Shanghai? The Xiao long bao hails from just outside of Shanghai in a suburb called Nanxiang, a historic water town. It’s folded with 18 delicate pleats, melts in your mouth, and is filled with hot soup; what’s not to love. With a touch of vinegar and ginger, I promise you whatever kind of day you had, good or bad, can be turned around by these steamed little buggers.
People’s Park in the Old French Concession
Picture this: it’s a Tuesday (or a Saturday) and you’re walking home. You hear lively music softly roaring from afar. As you get closer, the music grows louder, and through the trees you can see small groups of people spinning and twirling. The aunties and uncles of Shanghai gather in the evenings and dance together; Chinese pop, folk or remixed music, ballroom, fan or Guangchang Wu— they do it all. Watching these proud, lively folks became one of my favorite rituals to walk by and a beautiful reminder of community, movement and shared joy.
Chuan’er (Street Skewers)
On the street, at the mall, along a tourist road or late at night— chuan’er always hits. What started as curiosity quickly became an obsession. As I learned more about the connections between Xinjiang cuisine and the Silk Road, these street skewers called to me even more. Covered in spices, the smell of cumin and chili from charcoal grills defined many of my evening walks and soon became a place of gathering amongst friends and I. I’m not sure how much RMB I’ve spent on skewers, but more than enough to impact my impression of Shanghai.
Although my mandarin is limited, I do know how to point at skewers and dumplings and order a bunch. So I’m just saying, if you ever need a snack buddy— I’m your gal and Shanghai is far from a sucky place to snack.