Sheng-Wen Lo new ARTISt in Residence

In early March, artist and Rijksakademie alum Sheng-Wen Lo will begin his ARTISt-in-Residence at ARTIS. Over twelve months, Lo will explore enrichment in animal enclosures, waste recycling, and the visitor experience. The residency programme is a contemporary extension of the long-standing collaboration between ARTIS and the Rijksakademie. Lo will set up his studio in one of the Salmhuisjes, one of the 26 national monuments within ARTIS Park.

Lo is intrigued by the relationships between humans and non-humans in society, a fascination that began in his childhood: Why do people form bonds with certain plants and animals? He will start his residency by focusing on acoustic enrichment for animals, aiming to develop it with them rather than for them. Additionally, he will explore ways to make behind-the-scenes zoo management more engaging for visitors.

Lo states: “If visitors learn more about the management and conservation efforts at ARTIS and actively contribute themselves in fun ways, they will feel connected and motivated to explore and discover. I would like to create scenarios that encourage visitors to learn more about zoo management, enrichment practices and experience them through creative initiatives rather than just being informed. I hope that, in the long run, both the animals and visitors will benefit from my ARTISt-in-Residence.”

The ARTISt-in-Residence programme, established in 2020 in collaboration with the Rijksakademie, is open to artists who have completed the Rijksakademie programme within the past eight years. Following an open call in October 2024, a jury of ARTIS and Rijksakademie staff unanimously selected Sheng-Wen Lo.

Jelmer Wijnstroom, Art Advisor at ARTIS and jury member, states: “We are delighted to have Sheng-Wen Lo as a resident. His work exposes the complex web in which we, as humans, are part of nature. How do we interact with the life forms around us? Lo’s practice aligns well with the current themes and challenges ARTIS faces. His plans offer a fresh perspective on nature in a playful yet serious way.”