Shavonne Wong: From Photography to Digital Art
Shavonne Wong is a distinguished 3D artist and photographer from Singapore, who actively embraces decentralized technologies in her artistic endeavors.
She embarked on her professional journey as a self-taught, independent photographer in the fields of advertising and fashion. However, her innovative approach and hard work have earned her global recognition. Shavonne found her name on the Forbes 30 Under 30 Asia list in 2020. Nevertheless, due to the pandemic and the consequent restrictions, she paused her career in photography and immersed herself in the world of 3D modeling.
I picked up photography about 11 years ago, right after polytechnic. When COVID-19 first hit and photoshoots were no longer allowed because of the lockdown, I figured that if I couldn’t work with real models, I would just create my own,said Shavonne Wong.
Support from her family and the skills Shavonne acquired in photography allowed her to quickly adapt to a new profession, leveraging a plethora of online courses. Soon, Wong started crafting realistic human models infused with fantastical elements to convey the stories of everyday people. Then, she discovered NFTs and saw them as a remarkable outlet for artistic expression.
Contrary to the prevalent notion that utilizing NFTs and fostering one’s community in the decentralized realm is fairly straightforward, Shavonne faced a myriad of challenges. To taste success, she devoted substantial time to unraveling technical intricacies and engaging with users and industry figures in prominent art circles. Now, her digital creations, along with her photographs, have gained accolades from prestigious entities like Vogue Germany, Bang & Olufsen, and Sotheby’s, emphasizing her eclectic style.
Her most acclaimed creation is the generative collection, "Love is Love," consisting of 500 distinct images depicting two individuals yearning to share a kiss. Each piece portrays models with diverse skin tones, genders, orientations, and other traits. The minting process permitted buyers to select their preferred combinations, morphing this into a form of collaborative artistry. Shavonne consistently emphasized that this series solely represented collectible and cultural value with no practical implications, but this didn’t dissuade buyers, including the renowned actor Idris Elba.
Featured Artwork from the Love is Love Collection. Source: OpenSea Official Website.
Shavonne is also a co-founder of the non-profit NFT Asia, an initiative designed to support and elevate Asian artists in both decentralized and conventional arenas. Initially skeptical about this endeavor, by 2022, her team had showcased 93 artists from 21 Asian countries in eight distinct exhibitions. This exposure allowed many of them to gain recognition and spearhead their own exhibitions.
The community was born out of a need for a space where Asian artists could connect, especially given the Western dominance in the NFT space,clarified Shavonne Wong.
Shavonne perceives that digital art is in its nascent stage and that NFTs are playing a pivotal role in elevating its stature. She acknowledges the existing skepticism amongst some creators regarding NFTs but remains optimistic that the majority of gifted and inventive minds will embrace this innovation as the user experience enhances and the community burgeons.
