Shiya is a Taishanese multi-disciplinary artist based in Salt Lake City who explores her cultural identity through pottery and illustration. Immigrating to Utah from China with her family in the early 2000s, Shiya’s work draws on traditional Chinese and Asian artistic techniques to connect with her heritage.

The phrase “āiyā” is a common Chinese phrase that is used to encompass the ups and downs of life, and it is also reflective of her feelings the process of creating art.

Her current body of ceramic sculpture work captures cherished moments and tangible memories from her childhood as a Chinese immigrant, along with shared staples of the Asian immigrant experience, such as her parent's Chinese restaurant dishes and favorite childhood snacks. By recreating fleeting scenes and nostalgic objects that once made her feel at home, Shiya aims to preserve her cultural traditions and share the stories of her family and community.

Working with clay allows Shiya to bridge generations and continents, encapsulating the dreams and resilience of her people. The malleable medium fits itself to her hands as she sculpts, shaping narratives that are at once nostalgic and reflective. Her pottery serves as a vessel to carry her cultural heritage into the future.