Claudia Chan Shaw

Final Curtain

‘Final Curtain’ is an evocative photographic series exploring the enigmatic world of abandoned structures and objects.

An Art Deco theatre stands derelict; its only inhabitants the cooing pigeons that now call it home. The projection room is frozen in time, as if its occupants have just stepped out for a moment. A flea market trades in cherished memories, passing them from one soul to another. Each image is a portal to an untold story, concealed in the midst of decay.

The photographs are printed on textured flock and embossed wallpapers and linoleum, that echo the forgotten interiors, suggesting a tangible link to those who once inhabited these spaces.

Claudia Chan Shaw

Sydney born creative Claudia Chan Shaw has a diverse career as an installation and photo artist, curator, fashion designer, broadcaster and author. With a BA in Visual Communication Design from Sydney College of the Arts, Claudia is a photo artist fascinated by the transitory nature of the ephemeral urban environment and its pathway to memory, nostalgia and beauty.

As the inaugural curator of the Sydney Chinese New Year Festival (2016 -2018) and curator of Lunar New Year celebrations at World Square (2019 – 2021), Claudia designed large scale public installations including the Tai Chi Bunnies, Three (not so) Little Pigs, The Ratrobats, Robot Rats, and Warrior Ox. Her artwork has featured in the Head On Photo Festival, GLOW Festival at HOTA, Casula Powerhouse Arts Centre, and Sydney Lunar Festival.

Claudia Chan Shaw is co-designer and director for the internationally acclaimed Australian fashion label, Vivian Chan Shaw. The designs are represented in the permanent collection of the Powerhouse Museum, Sydney.

Claudia’s previous series exhibited at Art Atrium, Obscuriosity, draws on a personal cabinet of curiosities – childhood memories and the intrigue of the obscure and her earlier series, Poster Boy, was presented in 2012 at Art Atrium and was part of the 2016 Head On Photo Festival. Group shows include Integration Exchange at the China Cultural Centre in 2017, and Transcendence at Art Atrium in 2018.

Claudia has curated a number of fashion exhibitions including Vivian Chan Shaw – 40 Years, A Retrospective at Tamworth Regional Gallery (2016) and the Whitehouse Institute of Design Australia (2013); and fashion artist Alfredo Bouret Retrospective (2005).

She is well known for her role as co-host and presenter on ABC TV’s popular program, Collectors. Her subsequent book Collectomania: From objects of desire to magnificent obsession, navigates the world of collectors and celebrates collections both strange and beautiful.

She hosts an interview program, The Dialogue on 89.7fm Eastside Radio with an emphasis on the arts and design.

Claudia is a cultural tour leader for the Art Gallery Society World Art Tours, focusing on Art Deco, design and contemporary art and has led tours to different parts of the world.

Art Atrium Exhibition Opening – Claudia Chan Shaw – Final Curtain

Art Atrium Artists in Conversation – Claudia Chan Shaw with Simon Marnie

Art Atrium Exhibition Opening – Year of the Tiger Chinese New Year Exhibition

Art Atrium Artists in Conversation – Final Event of the Year 2020

Art Atrium @ Jones Bay Wharf Exhibition Opening – Claudia Chan Shaw & Cindy Yuen-zhe Chen