Ai-Wen Wu Kratz

In the 2024 Prix de Lausanne Ballet Competition, a coach advised the candidates, “Don’t let the pirouette be the boss. The dancer is the boss.” This idea suggests that actions should not be performed mindlessly; instead, the individual must shape the outcome. This thought guides my journey as a painter.

The fields of human pursuit are innumerable—technology, engineering, science, medicine, philosophy, religion, and many more—all striving to create a better world. The achievements resulting from the dedication of experts in these disciplines are remarkable. They inspire a sense of responsibility to contribute through my own education and training. For me, that contribution is the creation of artwork.

I find inspiration in literature, classical music, contemporary stage design, choreographic lines in ballet, and vocal arts. My work seeks to engage with spirituality, intellectual inquiry, and aesthetics. Rather than serving purely decorative purposes, the work aims to offer viewers pathways toward deeper spiritual and intellectual reflection.

The words of Maria Callas remain a lasting inspiration: “You are born an artist, or you are not. And you stay an artist, even if your voice is less of fireworks. The artist is always there.”