Bolun Shen is an independent artist and activist whose work explores how art can serve as a tool for social change, constructing alternative futures and inspiring the public with the courage and conviction to engage in civic life. His practice spans performance, theater, social intervention, video, and text, aiming to challenge authoritarian narratives, reshape social agendas, and create new spaces for public participation. Graduating with a background in journalism and communication, Shen initially worked in independent documentary filmmaking before shifting toward interdisciplinary artistic practice.
His works have been presented in China, Finland, the United States, Switzerland, and Singapore, and have received support from institutions such as the Pro Helvetia, Singapore Art Museum, Greenpeace, and the United Nations Population Fund. As an experienced public speaker, he has delivered six TEDx talks in China, with one of his speeches featured in TED China’s official podcast in 2019. Shen was a resident artist at the Singapore Art Museum in 2024 and participated in the Tehran Biennial in 2025.
At MacDowell, Shen developed “The Petition of Nothing,” a performance art piece involving a symbolic warrant article proposal of 2-minute silence for the Peterborough deliberative session and town meeting. It will be discussed in April and May 2026 by the town people. He also prepared presentations for speaking engagements in New York City regarding art as a tool for social activism.
