2025/26 Merit Scholarship Recipient: Shuyi Wu

Describe the work you submitted for merits.

Those pieces exploring the intersection of vintage fashion, whimsical storytelling, nature-inspired themes, and the unspoken, complex emotions underlying East Asian female friendships—ranging from jealousy and rivalry to romantic-like intimacy, and ultimately, selfless fulfillment.

What made you choose to come to MCAD for your MFA?

I chose to come to MCAD for my MFA because I was drawn to the college’s emphasis on interdisciplinary exploration and storytelling. As someone who transitioned from a background in TESOL to illustration, I was looking for a program that would not only help me refine my technical skills but also support the conceptual and narrative depth I wanted to bring into my work. MCAD stood out to me for its supportive community, access to diverse faculty, and the flexibility to experiment across media. I wanted an environment where I could grow not just as an illustrator, but as a visual storyteller capable of developing my own IP and brand—something rooted in emotion, fashion, and whimsical detail.

Favorite thing about the program or the community (so far)?

My favorite thing about the program so far is how supportive and open the community is. Everyone—from faculty to peers—respects each other's unique voice and background, which makes me feel safe to experiment and be vulnerable in my work.

What inspires you?

I’m inspired by the quiet poetry of everyday life—small, fleeting moments that carry emotional weight. I often find inspiration in nature, vintage fashion, old furniture, and the delicate charm of animals, especially cats. There’s something powerful about mixing beauty with a hint of eeriness, softness with subtle tension. I’m also deeply influenced by stories—both personal memories and fictional narratives—and by the way emotions are expressed through body language, clothing, and intimate spaces. Music, reflective reading, and even melancholy feelings often spark new characters or scenes in my mind. For me, illustration is a way to process and preserve those moments, and turn them into something magical and shareable.

Do you have a favorite piece you've made? Describe it!

One of my favorite pieces I’ve made is called Cage. It’s a very personal work about myself. Unlike my usual bright and pastel-toned illustrations, this piece explores a stronger contrast between light and shadow, creating a more dramatic atmosphere. The characters are more refined and emotionally expressive, reflecting a deeper level of introspection. I also experimented with paper cutting for the first time, layering elements to create depth and texture.
While creating it, I was haunted by a complex thought: “Love is possessive. Love is fragile. It must be handled delicately. She is a rare treasure—I want her to belong to me alone. The only way to make it eternal is to keep her as my private collection.” That idea, both romantic and disturbing, shaped the emotional core of the piece. It helped me confront and visualize the tension between affection and control, beauty and captivity. This work marked a turning point in how I express emotional vulnerability through my art.

Anything you're obsessed with at the moment?

Lately, I’ve been completely obsessed with designing a dollhouse world for the characters in my illustrations. This time, I’ve been combining elements from Chinese opera, classical poetry, and traditional aesthetics to imagine every detail of their lives—from what kind of teacups they use during festival celebrations, to how their rooms are decorated, or how their clothing might look in different historical eras. It’s incredibly satisfying to bring that imagined world to life. I’m also deeply drawn to all things vintage—antique lace, porcelain, and elaborate historical fashion. These tiny, ornate details constantly spark my imagination and help me create a more immersive and emotionally rich visual universe for my characters.

Shuyi Wu, Cage