Candy Chang transforms public spaces into sites of collective introspection, gathering handwritten testimonies that reveal the desires, fears, pains, and hopes of contemporary life. Drawing from her Taiwanese heritage and the centuries-old reverence for calligraphy as both spiritual practice and artistic expression, she reimagines the handwritten word as a medium for communal connection in an increasingly digital age. Her practice encompasses painting, video, and large-scale installations that weave these intimate testimonies into broader explorations of ritual, belonging, and the evolving nature of public communion.
Chang's interdisciplinary approach, grounded in architecture and urban planning, manifests in participatory interventions that blur the boundaries between art, social practice, and civic engagement. Her participatory project Before I Die has been created in over 5,000 cities across 75 countries, becoming one of the most widely adapted public artworks. After the End, her participatory ritual exploring grief and healing, was a 2021 New York Times Critic’s Pick.
Her work has been exhibited in the Venice Architecture Biennale, Smithsonian American Art Museum, SFMOMA, Cooper-Hewitt National Design Museum, Nelson-Atkins Museum, and the Eli and Edythe Broad Art Museum. She has been awarded grants and fellowships from the National Endowment for the Arts, Rockefeller Foundation, Asian Cultural Council, TED, Black Rock Arts Foundation, and World Economic Forum. She has lectured at institutions including TED, Walker Art Center, Global Health Summit, Center for Architecture, and the American Planning Association.
Born and raised in the American Midwest, Chang's nomadic practice has taken her from New York City to New Orleans, Helsinki, the Mojave Desert, Iceland, Portugal, Greece, England, and Taiwan, where she has deepened her understanding of sacred architecture and place-based practices. She currently lives in Columbus, Ohio, down the hall from her parents, where she continues to explore speculative rituals that address the spiritual needs of the 21st century.
Education
M.S. Urban Planning, Columbia University, New York, NY
B.S. Architecture, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI
B.A. Design, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI
Contact
Speaking inquiries: The Lavin Agency | Email
Art inquiries: Email
Stay in touch: Bluesky | Instagram | Email