Graduating art student Shani Strand’s installations invite critical discussions

Meet Shani Strand, graduate student speaker for UCLA School of the Arts and Architecture 2023 commencement

Graduating UCLA Department of Art student Shani Strand is difficult to pin down. Her artwork is one part sculpture, one part installation, and entirely thought-provoking.

When discussing her work, she simultaneously shies away from explanations yet provides a plethora of interpretations. It can be overwhelming, but that’s Strand’s intention. She wants to trigger emotional reactions.

“I want my work to be affect-oriented, and I want critical discussions to be had,” says Strand. “I’m putting art into the world like an experiment.”

Strand is set to graduate with an M.F.A. in sculpture and will deliver the graduate student speech at the UCLA School of the Arts and Architecture’s commencement ceremony on Saturday, June 17.

When reflecting on her experience at UCLA, Strand says, “I'm grateful for so many people: professors and peers. The most shared advice from professors has been to simply remain in tune with my intuition.”

Posted June 15, 2023

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