"Rings of Universe" Artwork

Nini Sum is an artist based in Shanghai and Berlin, whose work bridges the realms of past and future, nature and the surreal, physical and metaphysical. Drawing inspiration from traditional Chinese landscape (Shanshui) paintings, she reimagines these timeless scenes through a futuristic lens, creating miniature worlds where time feels fluid and infinite. Her latest series—Urban Landscape and its 3D installations—blends organic forms with abstract structures, reflecting the Daoist philosophy of time as cyclical and ever-flowing. By sampling from classical aesthetics and infusing them with sci-fi undertones, she constructs dreamlike dioramas that feel both nostalgic and otherworldly. Her works eliminate boundaries, creating free, open-ended spaces that invite viewers to explore their own perceptions of time and reality. Nini’s artistic journey spans printmaking, installation, and mixed media, with a history of commercial collaborations and independent projects. As the co-founder of IdleBeats, Shanghai’s first independent screen printing studio, she continues to explore the intersection of tradition, technology, and storytelling in her evolving body of work.