Bao (b. 2000, Shanxi) is an Abu Dhabi-based artist whose work spans diverse mediums, including print, installation and performance, with a particular emphasis on image-making. Her practice explores the dynamic interaction between game mechanics and storytelling through visual interpretation. Bao sees her audience not only as observers but as players or participants, inviting people to reflect on their relationship with both the visible and the unseen.

Bao graduated with an MFA in Art and Media from New York University in 2025 and holds a BA in Communication from the Communication University of Zhejiang. Her work has been showcased in several exhibitions, including the Unstable Ground at 421 Art Campus in Abu Dhabi (2025), Sikka Art and Design Festival in Dubai (2025), Pressure Point at Project Space, New York University Abu Dhabi (2024), Fragile at the Cang Art Museum in Hangzhou (2022), where her work was acquired, and the 4th IDBA Exhibition at Icicle Space, Shanghai (2023), where she received the Justice Choice Award. Additionally, her artist books have been shown at international book fairs in Beijing, Hong Kong, New York, New Jersey, Taipei, Chengdu, Hangzhou, Guangzhou, Ningbo, and beyond.

Education

9. 2023 - 6. 2025 
MFA Art and Media; New York University Abu Dhabi
 

9. 2018 - 6. 2022 
BA Journalism; Communication University of Zhejiang

Group Exhibitions

2025 Unstable Grounds, 421 Arts Campus, Abu Dhabi
2025 Mylysses, XVA Gallery, Dubai 
2025 Sikka Art and Design Festival, Dubai
2024 Pressure point, Project Space NYUAD Art Gallery, Abu Dhabi
2022 Fragile, Cang Art Museum, Hangzhou, China
2022 Book Theatre, Maliang’s studio, Shanghai
2022 4th Imageless Dummy Book Awards Exhibition, ICICLE SPACE, Shanghai
2021 Back to Now, Powerlong Museum, Hangzhou

Book Shops in Display

Printed matter, Online shop
Printed matter, New York
Water House, Beijing
Akemei, Changsha

Book Fairs

2025 Printed Matter, Los Angeles
2024 Printed Matter, New York
2024 Jersey Art Book Fair, New Jersey 
2023 Rehearsal art book fair, New York
2023 Art Book in China, Hangzhou
2023 Bigger Artbook fair, Guangzhou
2023 A4 Book Fair, Chengdu,
2023 Art book in China, Beijing
2022 Jiazazhi Spring Book Fair, Ningbo

Awards and Collection

2022 Collected by CANG ART 
2022 4th Imageless Dummy Book Awards; Justice choice