Nini Sum

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.

Solo Exhibition

· 2023 / SPACE WALK - Nini Sum Artist-In-Residence Solo Exhibition / Kunstraum / Nürnberg, Germany
· 2012 / SEE·SAW - Nini Sum Solo Exhibition / Identity Art Gallery / Hong Kong


Group Exhibitions (Selected)

· 2020-2021 / Worlds On Paper / Art Labor Gallery / Shangahi, China
· 2020 / Untitled and Unlimited / Times Museum / Poly Art Center / Beijing, China
· 2019-2020 / China Europe Illustrations and Images Exhibition / Helsinki, Finland
· 2019 / The Drawing Hand / Dansyz Gallery / Shangahi, China
· 2019 / Anime / Kult Gallery / Singapore
· 2018 / Tale Of Two Cities #4 / The Space Gallery / Shangahi, China
· 2017 / Screen Punch / Con Artist Gallery / New York, USA
· 2017 / Tale Of Two Cities #3 / Art Labor Gallery / Shangahi, China
· 2017 / Torino Graphic Days, Turin Italy, 2017
· 2017 / IdleBeats Solo Exhibition, Serigraffeur Gallery, Berlin Germany
· 2017 / MAPS / Newsagency Gallery / Sydney, Australia
· 2017 / PSA 5year Anniversary Group Exhibtion / Power Station Of Art / Shanghai, China
· 2016 / Tale Of Two Cities #2 / PlayClass / Shangahi, China
· 2016 / Facing the Climate / THe Swedish Institute &Consulate General of Sweden in Shangahi / Shanghai, China
· 2015 / No Man’s Art Pop Up Gallery Oslo / Oslo, ...