Jiayu Shi

MA Teaching + Learning in Art + Design

What Teachers See: Collaborative Art making in Chinese and US Elementary Schools

I was raised in China and now study in the United States. Moving between two cultural worlds has made me deeply aware of the delicate tension between collaboration and individuality. I keep asking: when people create together, how do we stay close to others without losing our own voice? My research and practice grow out of that gentle friction. I believe art education is not just about teaching skills—it is about learning how to be with one another: how to listen, how to negotiate, and how to move forward even when we disagree. As a future art educator, I do not seek a single answer. Instead, I want to build a space where every child feels their expression matters, where different ideas can meet, rub against each other, and quietly grow. For me, collaboration is not about making everyone the same, but about helping different people learn to work together.

Black-and-white drawing. A giant girl in a floral blanket looks down at a tiny castle on pillows. Swirling, dark clouds shaped like reaching hands loom in the sky above.

My Childhood
pen and ink
787mm × 1092mm

This artwork is based on my childhood memories. As a kid, I loved wearing a blanket to pretend I was a king. The girl in the drawing is me. She wraps herself in a blanket to protect a small castle built on pillows.The dark clouds in the background look like reaching hands. They represent the bad emotions and stress I want to fight off. I drew this to turn my childhood fantasy into a safe place. In this little world, I can block out sadness and feel truly safe again.

Black-and-white drawing. A long-haired woman is framed from the nose down. She touches the thick, gnarled, mushroom-covered tree trunks that tightly enclose her lace-clad torso on both sides.

Black-and-white illustration. A giant, dark hand grips a long-haired girl's waist. She looks up as butterflies erupt from her mouth. A large, butterfly wing comes out her chest.

Doll's Diary
pen and ink
100mm × 100mm

Selected illustrations from my picture book "Doll's Diary". Are dolls heartless children or vessels for souls? Will the dolls I love deeply secretly watch or touch me at unknown times? Inspired by my daily life of nurturing ball-jointed dolls, I depict the fantastical scenes related to dolls that I imagine. Each illustration in the picture book conveys different emotions, combining various objects with the dolls to create a series of gorgeous images that can be connected together.

Jiayu Shi TLAD 2026 video 1

Indomitable
Wool Iron Wire Wood Cardboard Acrylic
1080 x 1920px

In the stop-motion animation, the desk and chair buried in textbooks and the protagonist's mechanical study scene reflect our contemplation of the rigidity and excessive pressure in the exam-oriented education system. The animation's bright colors and fairytale style fantasy world showcase the vitality, optimism, and longing for a better future of the protagonist and students. At the end of the animation, the protagonist is pulled back to reality and continues to write mechanically. As the music ends, he disappears into the darkness, leaving the audience with a suspense: will he face a beautiful fairy-tale world or an endless numb life in the future.

Three photos showing a diorama. A white box topped with a black cat opens to reveal a highly detailed, messy miniature bedroom, which a woman holds near her face.

Catbinet
Colored cardboard, felt
200 x 180mm

Catbinet is an interactive art cabinet inspired by my Devon Rex cats. At home, they love to “hide”—not really hiding, but staying in cozy spots and pretending to be invisible. This playful camouflage became the heart of my project.

The cabinet looks like a small storage unit. Inside its drawers and tiny rooms, you can see a miniature version of my home. Your task is to find nine cats hidden in different places. Some are partly visible, some blend into the background, and some only reveal themselves when you look closely.

As you search, you experience the same gentle game I play with my cats every day. It is not about winning or losing. It is about training your eyes to notice small things, and enjoying the quiet, warm feeling of sharing a space with someone who chooses to be half‑hidden. Cabinet invites you to slow down, look carefully, and find joy in the art of camouflage.

Two photos of a sculpted fantasy bird with fluffy white and teal plumage. It features a red beak and dark branch-like antlers, set against sheer blue and tan fabrics.

The Whirligig Of Mountain Seas
2021
Stone Plastic Clay Synthetic Fiber Aluminum Wire
50 x 20cm

In today's digital age, I attempt to visualize and interpret Classic of Mountains and Seas as an IP, extending its influence to broader fields such as gaming and trendy toys. I have handcrafted related trendy toy images and stop-motion animations, reinterpreting Classic of Mountains and Seas in a global context to better activate its underlying cultural connotations. This work won the national silver award and the first prize in the sub-track at the Zilong Cup competition.

Three mockups of an open children's picture book. The pages feature warm, playful cartoon illustrations of three young girls with dark hair playing inside a cozy home setting.

Nursery Rhyme: The Moon Walks
2023
Digital picture book
2000 x 4000px

The Moon Walks is a heartwarming picture book that takes inspiration from the traditional nursery rhyme of the same name. It tells the everyday tales of four sisters playing at home, capturing the essence of childhood innocence and joy. With a pure and adorable art style, the characters are depicted with round heads and bodies, endearing to readers of all ages. Now published ,this book not only serves as a delightful read but also plays a significant role in preserving and passing on the rich heritage of Chinese nursery rhymes.